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 The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

later than; following

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

(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 It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

plural of “bean” — any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

superlative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

any of various ornamental climbing plants of the genus Clematis usually having showy flowers

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

the way of administering a business

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

possessive form of “england” — a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

make glad or happy

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

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

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

shrub or vine of the genus Lonicera

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

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

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

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

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

plural of “lark” — North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading THE LOCK-HOUSE.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

become covered with mist

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

above and across; more than

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

covered with growing plants

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

plural of “pea” — seed of a pea plant used for food

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

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

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

cut with a saw

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading The mist of a July morning shrouded the river and its banks.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

the rays of the sun

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading THE LOCK-HOUSE.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

a low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

(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 It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

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

From this reading So he put his hands in his pockets, and went round to the back of the house to see how his peas and beans were conducting themselves.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He came out from his house, which was overgrown with honeysuckle and clematis, and he looked up the stream and down the stream, and then at the weir over which the water tumbled and roared; he saw that everything was all right after its night's rest.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.

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

From this reading It was a soft thin mist, not at all like a winter fog, and through it, and high above it, the sun was shining, and the larks singing; and Edward Rowles, the lock-keeper, knew well that within an hour or two the brightest sunshine would gladden England's river Thames.