Chapter IV

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

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

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

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

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

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

possessive form of “brewer” — someone who brews beer or ale from malt and hops and water

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

plural of “bristle” — a stiff fiber (coarse hair or filament); natural or synthetic

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

a small house with a single story

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

provide a cure for, make healthy again

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

in a gay manner

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

the act of departing

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

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

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

incapable of being overcome or subdued

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

and nothing more

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

on one occasion

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

plural of “placard” — a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

express in words

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

term of address for a man

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

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

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

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 Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading And then there was a brewer’s cart, and the grey horses had upright bristles of straw in their tails; there were newspaper placards.

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

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “And if some one should see, what matter they?”

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Since she was so unhappy, for weeks and weeks now, Rezia had given meanings to things that happened, almost felt sometimes that she must stop people in the street, if they looked good, kind people, just to say to them “I am unhappy”; and this old woman singing in the street “if some one should see, what matter they?” made her suddenly quite sure that everything was going to be right.

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

From this reading They were going to Sir William Bradshaw; she thought his name sounded nice; he would cure Septimus at once.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading Cheerfully, almost gaily, the invincible thread of sound wound up into the air like the smoke from a cottage chimney, winding up clean beech trees and issuing in a tuft of blue smoke among the topmost leaves.