Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

-ing form of “bask” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

an annual Eurasian plant cultivated in North America having showy heads of blue or purple or pink or white flowers

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

having the limits or boundaries established

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

past form of “buzz” — make a buzzing sound

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

put or send forth

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

past form of “cobble” — pave with cobblestones

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

past form of “congregate” — come together, usually for a purpose

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

with equanimity

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

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 Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

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

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

inflected form of “flag” — communicate or signal with a flag

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

past form of “furbish” — polish and make shiny

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

usually; as a rule

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

with hope; in a hopeful manner

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

in the manner of someone who is very hungry

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

and nothing more

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

any animal or plant material used to fertilize land especially animal excreta usually with litter material

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

an act of forcible exhalation

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

the season of growth

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

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

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

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 Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

plural of “wall” — 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 The yard, bounded on two sides by the house walls, was shut in on the third by a row of farm-sheds, and the fourth was open.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading Michael was sitting in the kitchen of a French farm-house just outside the village of Laires, some three miles behind the English front.

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

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.

in or at the place that

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

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

From this reading Against the white-washed wall of the house there lay a fat sow, basking contentedly, and snorting in her dreams.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading The kitchen door was open, and on the flagged floor was cast an oblong of primrose-coloured November sunshine, warm and pleasant, so that the bluebottle flies buzzed hopefully about it, settling occasionally on the cracked green door, where they cleaned their wings, and generally furbished themselves up, as if the warmth was that of a spring day that promised summer to follow.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading They were there in considerable numbers, for just outside in the cobbled yard was a heap of manure, where they hungrily congregated.