Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

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

From this reading It was known as the "old Crane place."

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

brought into existence

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading In the moonlight it was the shadowy edifice built of a dream.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

stretch (the neck) so as to see better

From this reading It was known as the "old Crane place."

possessive form of “crane” — United States writer (1871-1900)

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading In the moonlight it was the shadowy edifice built of a dream.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading In the moonlight it was the shadowy edifice built of a dream.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was known as the "old Crane place."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It was known as the "old Crane place."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

the light of the Moon

From this reading In the moonlight it was the shadowy edifice built of a dream.

overgrown with moss

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading It was known as the "old Crane place."

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

coated with paint

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was known as the "old Crane place."

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

inflected form of “sag” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

plural of “scale” — an ordered reference standard

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

from appearances alone

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

filled with shade

From this reading In the moonlight it was the shadowy edifice built of a dream.

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

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

the process whereby something is shed

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

the act of spending or disbursing money

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

lacking natural ease

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

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

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

indecision in speech or action

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

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

From this reading Sylvia Crane's house was the one in which her grandmother had been born, and was the oldest house in the village.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading It had never been painted, it was shedding its flapping gray shingles like gray scales, the roof sagged in a mossy hollow before the chimney, the windows and doors were awry, and the whole house was full of undulations and wavering lines, which gave it a curiously unreal look in broad daylight.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As Sylvia and Charlotte came to the front door it seemed as if they might fairly walk through it as through a gray shadow; but Sylvia stooped, and her shoulders strained with seemingly incongruous force, as if she were spending it to roll away a shadow.