Chapter XVI

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

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

anew

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

any of numerous plants of the genus Berberis having prickly stems and yellow flowers followed by small red berries

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

fulfill sexually

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

a small house with a single story

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

coming down freely under the influence of gravity

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

-ing form of “dust” — remove the dust from

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

possessive form of “ford” — United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

having or covered with leaves

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

in a joyous manner

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

the middle of the day

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

and nothing more

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

-ing form of “replenish” — fill something that had previously been emptied

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

in a restless manner

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

having accumulated rust

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

plural of “squirrel” — a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

not in physical motion

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

marked or decorated with stripes

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

possessive form of “traveler” — a person who changes location

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

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

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Lucy moved about, sweeping, dusting, replenishing the fire--but the silver hair glistened on her temples, and her step was slow and weary.

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

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Widow Ford’s cottage looked lonely and desolate, stripped of its leafy screen; but the squirrels might be seen leaping from tree to tree as merrily as if old Jacob still sat watching them in the door-way.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Summer had danced by--the chill wind whistled through the trees--the nuts were dropping in showers, and the leaves rusted beneath the traveler’s foot; the golden-rod and barberry clusters alone remained to deck the hedges, and the striped snake crawled out on the rock to sun himself only at midday.

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

From this reading Now and then she would lean against the mantel, and look at Mary--and then wander restlessly into the little bedroom--then, back again to the mantel.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You still think it best to consummate this marriage?” said the clergyman to Lucy, in a low voice.