Chapter XV

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

later than; following

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

(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 In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

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

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

put on clothes

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

an abstract part of something

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

divisible by two

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

brought together in one place

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

(astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

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

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

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

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

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

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

immediately past

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

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

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

the force of workers available

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

living in or characteristic of farming or country life

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

characteristic of rural life

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

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

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

move an implement through

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

closely encircling

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

sweep across or over

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

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

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

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

From this reading John Trevanion remained in the empty house.

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

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

being unoccupied

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

precisely as stated

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading After he had seen them off he walked home through the village with a very heavy heart.

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

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

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

From this reading “It must ha’ been last night as he went,” said one.

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

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

at the time that

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

which person or people

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It had seemed that morning as if nothing could be more miserable: but it was more miserable now, when every cheerful element had gone out of it, and not even the distant sound of a child’s voice, or Rosalind’s dress, with its faint sweep of sound, was to be heard in the vacancy.

plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading In front of the little inn there was an unusual stir: a number of rustic people gathered about the front of the house, surrounding two men of an aspect not at all rustical, who were evidently questioning the slow but eager rural witnesses.