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 About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

completely unclothed

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

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

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

the lower side of anything

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

plural of “boundary” — the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

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

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

divisible by two

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

deprived of life; no longer living

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

crowded or massed together

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

not in action or at work

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

weight to be borne or conveyed

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

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

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

engage in

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

attach to a support

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

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

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

many times at short intervals

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

above and across; more than

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

(formerly) a writing tablet made of slate

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

foam or froth on the sea

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

suffering from lack of food

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

not in physical motion

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

plural of “sunday” — first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

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

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

familiar with many parts of the world

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

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

From this reading Beyond the orchard lay a field or two, their boundaries lost under drifts; and above the fields, huddled against the white immensities of land and sky, one of those lonely New England farm-houses that make the landscape lonelier.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

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

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

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

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading I had often walked that way on Sundays, and knew that the solitary roof showing through bare branches near the bottom of the hill was that of Frome’s saw-mill.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Frome did not even turn his head as we drove by, and still in silence we began to mount the next slope.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

a Caucasian

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.

moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion

From this reading About a mile farther, on a road I had never travelled, we came to an orchard of starved apple-trees writhing over a hillside among outcroppings of slate that nuzzled up through the snow like animals pushing out their noses to breathe.

of a white tinged with yellow

From this reading It looked exanimate enough, with its idle wheel looming above the black stream dashed with yellow-white spume, and its cluster of sheds sagging under their white load.