Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

remote in manner

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

cause to be bored

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

intentionally conceived

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

only a very short time before

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading THE POOR MAN'S HOME.

crowded or massed together

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE POOR MAN'S HOME.

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 The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

(of soil) soft and watery

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

(of soil) soft and watery

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

in an original manner

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

past form of “overflow” — flow or run over (a limit or brim)

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

sounding as if the nose were pinched

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading THE POOR MAN'S HOME.

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

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

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

get rid of

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

morally degraded

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

having a supporting base

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

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

From this reading THE POOR MAN'S HOME.

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

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

a special situation

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

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

From this reading Standing a little aloof from the other cottages, as if conscious of its poor appearance, was a shed; it could hardly be called any thing else, for it appeared originally to have been nothing more than an out-house belonging to another building, and such in fact it had been.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Four or five squalid, ragged children, with pinched features and thin limbs, sat huddled in a heap on the muddy ground, watching the road with anxious eyes--eyes so bright with hunger that they seemed like those of so many rats.

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

From this reading It was situated in a hollow, and the marshy soil around bore evident proof that it was subject to be overflowed in rainy weather.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The roof was decayed in many places, and covered partly with rank moss.