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 New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

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

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

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

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

(chemistry) of or relating to or containing one or more benzene rings

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

damaged by blows or hard usage

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

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

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

-ing form of “charge” — to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

indicating a lack of maturity

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

plural of “detonation” — a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

detect with the senses

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

lasting a long time

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

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

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

plural of “feat” — a notable achievement

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

having lost your job

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

a strong current of air

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

someone who plays the harp

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

plural of “hollyhock” — any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

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

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

inflected form of “lag” — hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

engage in

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

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

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

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

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

above and across; more than

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

-ing form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

a person who is of equal standing with another in a group

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

select carefully from a group

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

a light shade of red

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

plural of “platoon” — a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

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

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

produced or growing in extreme abundance

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

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

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

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

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

act of expanding by lengthening or widening

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

superlative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

plural of “telescope” — a magnifier of images of distant objects

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

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

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

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

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

push forcefully

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

walk on one's toes

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

plural of “tube” — conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

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

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

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

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

at the time that

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Then suddenly hollyhocks, blooming in rank and file, seemed to be marching upon them like platoons of soldiers, with detonations of color that dazzled their peeping eyes; and, indeed, the whole garden seemed charging with its mass of riotous bloom upon the hedge.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The hedge was so high that when the school-children lagged by, and the secrets behind it fired them with more curiosity than those between their battered book covers, the tallest of them by stretching up on tiptoe could not peer over.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Then they would thrust their pink faces into the hedge, and the enduring fragrance of it would come to their nostrils like a gust of aromatic breath from the mouth of the northern woods, and peer into Evelina's garden as through the green tubes of vernal telescopes.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And so they were driven to childish engineering feats, and would set to work and pick away sprigs of the arbor-vitae with their little fingers, and make peep-holes--but small ones, that Evelina might not discern them.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading New York and London Harper & Brothers MDCCCXCIX On the south a high arbor-vitae hedge separated Evelina's garden from the road.