Chapter I

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

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

anew

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

past form of “bang” — strike violently

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

the quantity contained in a basket

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

avens of Virginia having pale or greenish yellow flowers

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

make better or improve in quality

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

a social unit living together

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

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

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

a quick look

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

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

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

a golf shot that curves to the left for a right-handed golfer

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

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

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

and nothing more

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

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

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

keep engaged

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

possessive form of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

occurring from time to time

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

above and across; more than

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

plural of “pea” — seed of a pea plant used for food

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

done under pressure

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

a system of scaffolds

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

an educational institution

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

possessive form of “sydney” — the largest Australian city located in southeastern Australia on the Tasman Sea; state capital of New South Wales; Australia's chief port

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading Ellen Sydney’s first garden in the Meadowburn’s new American home had made a fair beginning.

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

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She could just glimpse the murderous rickety scaffolding of it through the small leaves of the alley poplars.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading They were building a “switch-back railway” from the second story rear window of a neighbour’s house.

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

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

From this reading School was just out and as she worked Bennet banged into the hall, threw down his books and rushed forth again with a shout to join his comrades up the street.

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

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.

superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading She was at work one afternoon bending over the bed of sweet peas, hooking the baby tendrils to the wire mesh of the frame, with an occasional pat of the soft dark earth beneath--the earth which Bennet, the youngest of the family, had brought by the basketful from a distance, to enrich the yellow clay that filled in the property.