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 Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

move towards

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

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

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

close interaction

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

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

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

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

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

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

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

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

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

a retail merchant who sells foodstuffs (and some household supplies)

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

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 Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

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

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

plural of “hint” — an indirect suggestion

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

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

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

the place where two or more things come together

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

staying power

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

above and across; more than

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

select carefully from a group

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

past form of “piece” — to join or unite the pieces of

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

possessing material wealth

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

resistant to change of position or condition

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

not in physical motion

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

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 Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Harmon Gow suggested that Ethan Frome’s bay was still on his legs and that his owner might be glad to drive me over.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.

create by training and teaching

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

something that serves as a means of transportation

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

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

From this reading The illness spread to the other Starkfield stables and for a day or two I was put to it to find a means of transport.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

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

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

in or at the place that

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

which person or people

From this reading On my arrival at Starkfield, Denis Eady, the rich Irish grocer, who was the proprietor of Starkfield’s nearest approach to a livery stable, had entered into an agreement to send me over daily to Corbury Flats, where I had to pick up my train for the Junction.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading But about the middle of the winter Eady’s horses fell ill of a local epidemic.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nevertheless, I might have contented myself with the story pieced together from these hints had it not been for the provocation of Mrs. Hale’s silence, and—a little later—for the accident of personal contact with the man.