Chapter XVI · For Life

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

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

later than; following

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Their sadness is for me and me alone.

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

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

the act of burning something

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a formal event performed on a special occasion

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

something acquired without compensation

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading Their sadness is for me and me alone.

and nothing more

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

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 When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Their sadness is for me and me alone.

the residence of a religious community

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

a person who is feeling grief (as grieving over someone who has died)

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

a form of address for a man

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

and nothing more

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

above and across; more than

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

filled or impregnated with perfume

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading My mother's death marked an epoch in my life, for immediately afterwards a great change came over my circumstances and position.

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

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being

From this reading Their sadness is for me and me alone.

express in words

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

the act of searching for something

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

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

From this reading Of the dreary days just before and after the funeral I shall here say but little.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their sadness is for me and me alone.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

up to a particular time

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

at the time that

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

in or at the place that

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.

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

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

a Caucasian

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

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

From this reading When the time of the funeral came, Mr. Ravenor stood by my side, the only other mourner, and I knew that the banks of choice white flowers, which smothered the coffin and perfumed the winter air, were his gift.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Until after the ceremony I remained at the monastery, seeking relief from my thoughts by rambles over the hills, by watches at dead of night before the spot where, with many candles burning round her open coffin, my mother lay, and by long conversations with Father Alexander, my comforter.