Chapter IV

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

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

(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 PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

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

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

at or in or to any place

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

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

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

rid of obstructions

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

plural of “clear” — the state of being free of suspicion

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

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

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

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

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

causing dejection

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

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

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn was not well.

a heavy rain

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

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

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

the overhang at the lower edge of a roof

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

every person

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

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

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

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

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn was not well.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

not any; not one

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

the act of fixing firmly in place

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

on the contrary

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

the work of a sailor

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

plural of “seed” — a small hard fruit

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

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

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

be seated

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

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

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

a heavy wetness

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

plural of “sweep” — a wide scope

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

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

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

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

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

hard to endure

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

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

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn was not well.

precisely as stated

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading No one could sit on the porch, for the vines and eaves dripped, the parlor had a rather dismal aspect, and everybody seemed dispirited.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.

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

From this reading PLANTING OF SMALL SEEDS But it was not all smooth sailing for Helen, although it had begun so fair.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The very next week was trying to everybody.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn was not well.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was warm and close and rainy, not a heartsome downpour that sweeps everything clean, and clears up with laughing skies, but drizzles and mists and general sogginess, not a breath of clear air anywhere.