Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

(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 The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

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

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

plural of “conservatory” — the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

an udder or breast or teat

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

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

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

plural of “gardener” — someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

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

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

the act of giving

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

plural of “greenhouse” — a building with glass walls and roof; for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

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

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

brought under control and put to use

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

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

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

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

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

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

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

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

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

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

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

immediately past

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

the act of departing

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

held dear

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

and nothing more

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

-ing form of “mow” — cut with a blade or mower

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

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

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

a perceptual structure

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

with low volume

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

in a sedate manner

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

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

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

past form of “swathe” — wrap in swaddling clothes

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

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

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The flowers in the formal gardens had all been dug up, and the carefully tended designs--so like a stitchwork pattern--had lost their mosaic of colour, leaving merely a careful drawing of brown upon green.

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

From this reading The big reception rooms at Bowshott were swathed in brown holland and dust-sheets, pictures were covered and carpets rolled up, giving an air of desolation to the place.

at the time that

From this reading When Peter came back from Spain he came to an empty house.

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

From this reading The banks of flowering exotics, which his mother had loved to have in her drawing-rooms, had been removed to the greenhouses and conservatories.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sight of the gardeners mowing, for the last time in the season, the hundred-year-old turf of the lawn conveyed a suggestion of regret with it; the old pony harnessed to the mowing machine stepped sedately and quietly in his boots on the close, fine grass.