Chapter V

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

(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 For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

in addition

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

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

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

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

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

a rapid active commotion

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “ceiling” — the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “contrast” — the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

plural of “druid” — a pre-Christian priest among the Celts of ancient Gaul and Britain and Ireland

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

depressingly dark

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

death of a person

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

plural of “hearth” — an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading HIS ITALIAN WIFE.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

ten 10s

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

an agency in the Department of Justice that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to the United States

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading HIS ITALIAN WIFE.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

noisy and mischievous merrymaking

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

immediately past

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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 But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

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

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

not divisible by two

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

on one occasion

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “out” — (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

a panel or section of panels in a wall or door

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

the length of a line segment between the center and circumference of a circle or sphere

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

the event of something appearing again

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

recurring again and again

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

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

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

characterized by variety

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

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

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

in or at the place that

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

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

From this reading THAT deep shadow of gloom which had fallen upon Christian Harefield’s life seemed to have descended also upon the house he lived in.

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

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading HIS ITALIAN WIFE.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

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

From this reading For the last fifty years the Water House had been known to all Little Yafford, and within a radius of twenty miles, as a grave and sober mansion, where high jinks of any kind were as little to be expected as a reappearance of white-robed, oak-crowned Druids in that stony circle on the moor which had once reeked with the blood of human victims.

a late time of life

From this reading The house--with its low ceilings, narrow corridors, strange ins and outs, odd corners, and black oak panelling--had doubtless been more or less gloomy of aspect for the last two hundred years.

but in spite of that

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading But an old world gloom like this contrasts pleasantly with the movement and bustle of glad domestic life--the flashes of sudden colour--the glow of many hearths--winter’s yule log and summer’s wealth of flowers--the fresh shrill voices of young children--the hospitalities of eventide, the passing in and out of many figures, varied yet recurrent as the combinations of a kaleidoscope.