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 A GREAT MISFORTUNE.

to or in a foreign country

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

later than; following

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

(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 It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

in addition

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

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

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

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

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

superlative of “cool” — neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

half asleep

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

divisible by two

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

superlative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A GREAT MISFORTUNE.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

lacking spirit or liveliness

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

inflected form of “lap” — lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading A GREAT MISFORTUNE.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

the local environment

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

without pity; in a merciless manner

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

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

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

quiet, dark, or concealed

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

deliver by singing

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

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

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

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

From this reading Even the flowers bowed their heads a little weariedly, and the birds after a time ceased singing, and got into the coolest and most shady parts of the great forest trees.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading There they sat and talked to one another of the glorious weather, for they liked the heat, although it made them too lazy to sing.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

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

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

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

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was an open plain of country, and although there were clumps of trees here and there, great clumps with cool shade under them, there were also acres and acres of common land on which the sun beat remorselessly.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It was an intensely hot July day--not a cloud appeared in the high blue vault of the sky; the trees, the flowers, the grasses, were all motionless, for not even the gentlest zephyr of a breeze was abroad; the whole world seemed lapped in a sort of drowsy, hot, languorous slumber.