used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GHOUL AT THE FEAST.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
how long something has existed
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
(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 I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A GHOUL AT THE FEAST.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
caravannounUS /ˈkærəvæn/
a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
clean-shaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
Clitheroe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/
growing close together but not in dense mats
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
disdainverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪn/
look down on with disdain
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading A GHOUL AT THE FEAST.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
gablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
GHOULnounUS /ɡuːl/
someone who takes bodies from graves and sells them for anatomical dissection
From this reading A GHOUL AT THE FEAST.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
LancashirenounUS /ˈlæŋkəʃaɪr/
a historical area of northwestern England on the Irish Sea; noted for textiles
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
held dear
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
oriels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
porchesnounUS /ˈpɔːrtʃəz/
plural of “porch” — a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
recurverbUS /rɪˈkɜːr/
happen or occur again
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
rhapsodynounUS /ˈræpsədi/
an enthusiastic expression of emotion
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
smokyadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊki/
marked by or emitting or filled with smoke
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GHOUL AT THE FEAST.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Clitheroe’s thoughts loved to recur to his native Lancashire, smoky though its air might be, and clean-shaved the grass of its lawns.
a vivid mental image
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading I could not help believing that all the enthusiasm of this weak, gentle nature for the bleak plains and his pioneer life was a delusion.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There, as he paced with me, a guest, after pointing out the gables, wings, oriels, porches, that had clustered about the old building age after age, he might have waved it away into a vision, and spoken with disdain of civilization, and with delight of the tent and the caravan.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have been pretty talk for an after-dinner rhapsody at the old mansion he had spoken of in England.
