Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

plural of “builder” — a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

covered with or as with a canopy

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

having or marked by confidence or assurance

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

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

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

sleep lightly or for a short period of time

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

half asleep

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

plural of “duster” — a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

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

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

join tongue and groove, in carpentry

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

set up or found

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

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

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

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

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

not accessible to view

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

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

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness)

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

and nothing more

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

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

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

plural of “pin” — a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

the act of giving a false appearance

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

of stone or timber; shaped roughly without finishing

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

(formerly) a writing tablet made of slate

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

make square

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

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

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

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

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position

From this reading Only in that land of pretense had he seen its like: a big, square, gray house, its drab slate roof and red chimneys all but hidden by the elms that towered above it like mammoth feather dusters, its wide piazzas screened from the street by a hoary hedge of lilac.

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

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

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

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The house to which he went was equally a stage house.

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

which person or people

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading In Ewing's own room, far up between the hunched shoulders of the house, the windows gave closely on one of the elms, so that he could hear its whispers night and morning from his canopied bed of four posts.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LITTLE LAND Ewing found Kensington like a village dropped from the clouds of stageland, its wide, grass-bordered streets arched with giant elms and flanked by square old houses, drowsing behind their flower gardens and green lawns.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading The house seemed to drowse in a comfortable lethargy, confident of the rectitude of builders long dead who had roughhewn its beams and joined them with wooden pins before a day of nails.