Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

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

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

in a state of sleep

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

with one leg on each side

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

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

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

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

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

half asleep

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

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

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

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

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

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

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

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

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

not divisible by two

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

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

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

out of fashion

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

and nothing more

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

-ing form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

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

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

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

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

possessive form of “teddy” — plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

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

From this reading Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," "Teddy's Button," etc, etc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Below them on the one side stretched a sweet old-fashioned English garden lying in the blaze of an August sun.

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

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

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

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

the upper part of anything

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

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

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

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

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading In the distance, peeping from behind a wealth of creepers and ivy was the old stone house.

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

From this reading They were sitting astride on the top of the old garden wall.

a cart for carrying small loads; has handles and one or more wheels

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.

at the time that

From this reading It was at an hour in the afternoon when everything seemed to be at a standstill: two or three dogs lay on the soft green lawn fast asleep, an old gardener smoking his pipe and sitting on the edge of a wheelbarrow seemed following their example; and birds and insects only kept up a monotonous and drowsy dirge.