used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading _An October afternoon, fifteen years later.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _An October afternoon, fifteen years later.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
brackennounUS /ˈbrækən/
fern of southeastern Asia; not hardy in cold temperate regions
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
cart-track
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
ELLERSHAW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading _An October afternoon, fifteen years later.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
HAGGARDadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
JUDITHnounUS /ˈdʒuːdəθ/
Jewish heroine in one of the books of the Apocrypha; she saved her people by decapitating the Assyrian general Holofernes
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
kerchiefnounUS /ˈkɜːrtʃəf/
a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
kilted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
knocksnounUS /nɑːks/
plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading _An October afternoon, fifteen years later.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
not any; not one
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading _An October afternoon, fifteen years later.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
orange-colouredadjective
having the color of ripe oranges
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
in the near future
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
the rays of the sun
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading She knocks several times, but no one answers: so she steps in, and seats herself an a chair near the door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
undecidedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
From this reading A figure is seen approaching along the cart-track: and JUDITH ELLERSHAW, neatly dressed in black, appears at the door; and stands, undecided, on the threshold.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There is no one in the room: and the door stands open, showing a wide expanse of fell, golden in the low sunshine.
witheredadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Presently a sound of singing is heard without: and BELL HAGGARD is seen, coming over the bent, an orange-coloured kerchief about her head, her skirt kilted to the knee, and her arms full of withered bracken.
a late time of life
From this reading _An October afternoon, fifteen years later.
