Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

later than; following

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

(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 Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

a sudden desire

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

indicating a lack of maturity

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

grow worse

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

a bitter quarrel between two parties

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a young female

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

woodlands in full leaf

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

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

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

an unjust act

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

in motion

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

possessive form of “nan” — your grandmother

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

not any; not one

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

of or providing nourishment

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

a person in charge of paying wages

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

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

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

of a stringed instrument; sounded with the fingers or a plectrum

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

edge tool used in shaving

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

located far away spatially

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

bitter or scornful

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

man with strong sexual desires

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

express in words

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

go sour or spoil

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

not in physical motion

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

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

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

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

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

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 A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

not neat and tidy

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

someone who visits

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

plural of “vista” — the visual percept of a region

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.

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

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

at the time that

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

in or at the place that

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading In lanes of greenwood he would peer in questioning and silent, and there he was certain to find them as close as lovers, though, had he known it, there was never word of love.

used until no longer useful

From this reading And though Gilian was still, for the sake of a worn-out feud with the house of the Paymaster, no visitor to Maam, that saturnine uncle would say nothing.

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

From this reading Nan’s uncle, moving with hopeless and dragging steps about the sides of Maam hill, ruminating constantly on nature’s caprice with sheep and crop, man’s injustice, the poverty of barns, the discomforts of seasons, nourishing his sour self on reflections upon all life’s dolours, would be coming after that for days upon the girl and Gilian gathering berries or on some such childish diversion in the woods behind the river.

a late time of life

From this reading A gaunt, bowed man in the decline of years, with a grey tangle of beard--a fashion deemed untidy where the razor was on every other man’s face--he looked like a satyr of the trees, when he first came to the view of Gilian.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He saw those young ones from remote vistas of the trees, or from above them in cliffs as they plucked the boughs.