Chapter I

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

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

later than; following

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

how long something has existed

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

cause to be bored

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

have or possess in combination

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

obvious to the eye or mind

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

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

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

plural of “decade” — a period of 10 years

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

make more intense, stronger, or more marked

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

an irritable petulant feeling

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

usually; as a rule

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

an unjust act

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

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 But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

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

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

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

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

being perceived or observed

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

something that results

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

an irritable petulant feeling

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

a state of forcible subjugation

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

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

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

marked by or emitting or filled with smoke

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

the season of growth

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

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

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

a state of acute pain

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

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

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

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

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

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

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

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

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

not restrained or controlled

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Spring struggling through smoke and fog, dingy sparrows playing on the grass, and a careworn face looking upon it all.

an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Mrs. Dorriman, suffering in her youth from injustice and a want of affection, bore the marks of both; nothing but her real sweetness of temper had saved her from peevishness, for fretfulness is as much the result of perpetual repression in one feeble by nature, as violence and anger is the outcome of an unchecked temper in youth.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

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

From this reading But, as Mrs. Dorriman looked upon the smoky sparrows and the grass showing green under difficulties, she noticed that the birds were contending and not playing, they each wanted a long straw, envied it.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

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

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

but in spite of that

From this reading Alone they could not lift it, and yet they would not combine their efforts, and after all it had to be left there to the mercy of the wind.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading The lines left by youth deepen and become more conspicuous in age, and one can generally read the story of the three first decades in the faces of older people.