Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

at or in the front

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It was from there the cooling breeze came.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

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

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

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

From this reading It was from there the cooling breeze came.

put or send forth

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

object formed by a mold

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature

From this reading It was from there the cooling breeze came.

without deviation

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was from there the cooling breeze came.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

a long fixed look

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

not accessible to view

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

and nothing more

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

a small contrasting part of something

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

plural of “pool” — an excavation that is (usually) filled with water

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

a four-sided polygon

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

toned down

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

covered with beads or jewels or sequins

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

successive (without a break)

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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

From this reading Robert Cairn looked out across the quadrangle.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was from there the cooling breeze came.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

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

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

having three angles; forming or shaped like a triangle

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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 The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

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

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The moon had just arisen, and it softened the beauty of the old college buildings, mellowed the harshness of time, casting shadow pools beneath the cloisteresque arches to the west and setting out the ivy in stronger relief upon the ancient walls.

in or at the place that

From this reading The barred shadow on the lichened stones beyond the elm was cast by the hidden gate; and straight ahead, where, between a quaint chimney-stack and a bartizan, a triangular patch of blue showed like spangled velvet, lay the Thames.

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 But Cairn's gaze was set upon a window almost directly ahead, and west below the chimneys.