used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
ACQUAINTANCESHIPnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsʃɪp/
a relationship less intimate than friendship
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
Anne'snounUS /ænz/
possessive form of “anne” — Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
BALCONYnounUS /ˈbælkəni/
an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
breathsnounUS /breθs/
plural of “breath” — the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
CHARNOCK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
colourlessadjective
lacking in variety and interest
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
Donnisthorpe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
footpathnounUS /ˈfʊtpæθ/
a trodden path
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
set up or found
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
glovenounUS /ɡlʌv/
the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
hedgerows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
IMPROVEverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
James'snounUS /ˈdʒeɪmzɪz/
possessive form of “james” — a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
lanesnounUS /leɪnz/
plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
MallnounUS /mɔːl/
a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
messagesnounUS /ˈmesədʒəz/
plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
MIRANDA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
odorousadjectiveUS /ˈoʊdərəs/
having odor or a characteristic odor
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
ringedadjectiveUS /rɪŋd/
shaped like a ring
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
rippledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpəld/
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
roadwaynounUS /ˈroʊdweɪ/
a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
not in physical motion
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/
plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
uplandsnounUS /ˈʌpləndz/
plural of “upland” — elevated (e.g., mountainous) land
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
WHEREIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN CHARNOCK AND MIRANDA IMPROVE THEIR ACQUAINTANCESHIP IN A BALCONY Lady Donnisthorpe's house stood in Queen Anne's Gate, and the balcony overlooked St. James's Park.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There Charnock found Miranda; he leaned his elbows upon the iron balustrade, and for a while neither of them spoke.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In front of them the dark trees of the Park rippled and whispered to the stray breaths of wind; between the trees one line of colourless lamps marked the footpath across the bridge to the Mall; and the carriages on the outer roadway ringed that enclosure of thickets and lawns with flitting sparks of fire.
window-sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charnock was still holding the glove which he had picked up on the window-sill.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It was a clear night of early June, odorous with messages of hedgerows along country lanes and uplands of young grass, and of bells ringing over meadows.
