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 During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

a creation of the highest excellence

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

rid of obstructions

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

with the use of colloquial expressions

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

relating to or conducted or participated in by a congregation

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

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

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

in a delicate manner

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

flow back or recede

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

inflected form of “flag” — communicate or signal with a flag

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

-ing form of “gurgle” — flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

possessive form of “hale” — a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

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

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

provided with artificial light

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

conformity or harmony

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

most important element

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

being roughly between 45 and 65 years old

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

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

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

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

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula; achieved independence from Sweden in 1905

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

out of fashion

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

a course of conduct

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

not in physical motion

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

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

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

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

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

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

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

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

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

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

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

in a weak or feeble manner or to a minor degree

From this reading In the “best parlour,” with its black horse-hair and mahogany weakly illuminated by a gurgling Carcel lamp, I listened every evening to another and more delicately shaded version of the Starkfield chronicle.

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

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.

in or at the place that

From this reading Mrs. Hale’s father had been the village lawyer of the previous generation, and “lawyer Varnum’s house,” where my landlady still lived with her mother, was the most considerable mansion in the village.

a Caucasian

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading It stood at one end of the main street, its classic portico and small-paned windows looking down a flagged path between Norway spruces to the slim white steeple of the Congregational church.

in the company of; together with

From this reading During my stay at Starkfield I lodged with a middle-aged widow colloquially known as Mrs. Ned Hale.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was clear that the Varnum fortunes were at the ebb, but the two women did what they could to preserve a decent dignity; and Mrs. Hale, in particular, had a certain wan refinement not out of keeping with her pale old-fashioned house.