Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

(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 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

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

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

an upward slope or grade (as in a road)

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

inflected form of “behold” — see with attention

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

past form of “facilitate” — make easier

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

the act of departing

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading MONKS HORTON.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

flowering shrubs or trees having bright yellow flowers; all parts of the plant are poisonous

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

plural of “liberty” — immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

plural of “madrigal” — an unaccompanied partsong for 2 or 3 voices; follows a strict poetic form

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading 'Oh Miss Mary!

plural of “monk” — a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work

From this reading MONKS HORTON.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading 'Oh Miss Mary!

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

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

that may be permitted especially as according to rule

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

quiet, dark, or concealed

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

deliver by singing

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

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

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

the activity of making visits

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

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

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

at the time that

From this reading It was holiday-time, and liberties were taken such as were not permissible, when they might have afforded a bad precedent to the boarders.

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

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.

belonging to which person

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading 'And we will all the pleasures prove, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.'--Old Ballad.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Therefore, when two afternoons later Mary Nugent, returning from district visiting, came out into her garden behind the house, she was not scandalised to see a pair of little black feet under a holland skirt resting on a laurel branch, and going a few steps more she beheld a big shady hat, and a pair of little hands busy with a pencil and a blank book; as Ursula sat on the low wall between the gardens, shaded by the laburnum which facilitated the ascent on her own side.