Chapter I

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

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

completely unclothed

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

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

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

past form of “boom” — make a resonant sound, like artillery

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

fall or come down violently

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

plural of “crocus” — any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

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

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

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

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

join tongue and groove, in carpentry

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

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

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

material resulting from the process of grinding

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

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

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

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

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

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

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

a professional clown employed to entertain a king or nobleman in the Middle Ages

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

march in a procession

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

get into a prostrate position, as in submission

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

a slow or gradual disappearance

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

not used up

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

done under pressure

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

the act of moving along swiftly (as before a gale)

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

in a maliciously spiteful manner

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

move fast, noisily, and heavily

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination

From this reading March had come in like a lion, raging, turbulent.

plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Against the distant rocky coast the sea had boomed like the muffled thunder of guns; it had flung itself upon the beach, dragging the stones back with it in each receding wave, their grinding adding to the crash of the waters.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.

comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE PEACOCK FEATHER," "THE JESTER," "THE WISER FOLLY," ETC.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

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

From this reading It had sent the few remaining leaves of the old year scudding up the drive; it had littered the lawns with fragments of broken twigs; it had beaten yellow and purple crocuses prostrate to the brown earth.

but in spite of that

From this reading Throughout the day the wind had torn spitefully at the yet bare branches of the great elms in the park; it had rushed in insensate fury round the walls of the big grey house; it had driven the rain lashing against the windows.