Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

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

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

shining intensely

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

make calm or still

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

plural of “cornflower” — plant of southern and southeastern United States grown for its yellow flowers that can be dried

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

plural of “court” — an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

United States writer and leading exponent of transcendentalism (1803-1882)

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

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

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

causing debilitation

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

plural of “flannel” — a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

plural of “geranium” — any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

plural of “grape” — any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

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

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

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

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

the quality of being good looking and attractive

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

plural of “marigold” — any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

the force of workers available

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

used to form the superlative

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

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

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

causing numbness or insensitivity

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

a framework that supports climbing plants

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

repeat a passage from

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

radiating or as if radiating light

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

the quality of being valid and rigorous

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

of something having a dusty purplish pink color

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

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

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

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

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

not in physical motion

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

(of weather or climate) free from extremes; mild; or characteristic of such weather or climate

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court

From this reading Not far away, down by the Episcopal Church, men were playing tennis in flannels on the courts of yellow, hard-packed sand.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

hard to endure

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

not neat and tidy

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

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

From this reading HE COMES It was the evening of one of the most perfect days in an Indian summer of notable loveliness.

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

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

(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 In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

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

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

which person or people

From this reading In this refulgent weather, to quote Emerson, who knew well what he spoke of, "it was a luxury to draw the breath of life."

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Free equally from the enervating heat and insects of high summer, and the numbing rigour of the Eastern winter, the days passed in dignified procession, calm and temperate, roseate with the blazing foliage of autumn, and gay with geraniums and marigolds.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading On our modest pergola there still clung a few ruby-coloured grapes, though the leaves were scattered, and in the beds about our verandah blue cornflowers and yellow nasturtiums enamelled the untidy carpet of coarse grasses that were trying to choke them.