Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

past form of “beam” — smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

plural of “ceiling” — the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading The center of gravity is changed almost imperceptibly.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading The center of gravity is changed almost imperceptibly.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

make a compromise; arrive at a compromise

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

done or made or performed with purpose and intent

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

with specific intentions; for the express purpose

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

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

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface

From this reading The center of gravity is changed almost imperceptibly.

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

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading The center of gravity is changed almost imperceptibly.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

plural of “mat” — a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

above and across; more than

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

in a protective manner

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

radiating or as if radiating light

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

strengthen or make more firm

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

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

From this reading The fact is that the Rectory has managed the perfect English compromise.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

precisely as stated

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

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

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

in a hearty manner

From this reading And in winter, with the heavy carpets down, and the thick curtains, the very polished floors, so cool in summer, seem expressly designed to glimmer warmly with candle and fire-light; and the books seem to lean forward protectively and reassert themselves, and the low beamed ceilings to shelter and safeguard the interior comfort.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

make whistling sounds

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.

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

From this reading (I) Winter at Merefield Rectory is almost as delightful as summer, although in an entirely different way.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In summer, with the windows and doors wide open, with the heavy radiant creepers, with the lawns lying about the house, with the warm air flowing over the smooth, polished floors and lifting the thin mats, with the endless whistle of bird song--then the place seems like a summer-house.