Chapter XVI

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

plural of “billet” — a short personal letter

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

in a brisk manner

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

past form of “cobble” — pave with cobblestones

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

the arch of hair above each eye

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

the buildings and adjacent grounds of a farm

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

plural of “gig” — long and light rowing boat; especially for racing

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

the act of departing

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

the force of workers available

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

plural of “nag” — someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

not any; not one

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

plural of “pasture” — a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

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

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

compacted by ironing

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

try to get or reach

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

characterized by dignity and propriety

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

masonry done with stone

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

in the direction of

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

plural of “trap” — a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

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

From this reading The Green below was crowded, too, and men were running up the pastures that stepped briskly from the roadway to the moor.

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

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

in or to any place at all

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

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

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

a Caucasian

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

which person or people

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

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

From this reading The cobbled inn-front, wide as it was, could hold no more farmers’ gigs; the stable-yard was full of traps; and those who rode in late on sturdy horses were forced to seek billets for their nags wherever a friendly farmstead offered hospitality.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The bridge, arched like a delicate, grey eyebrow above the peat-brown river, was white with faces which looked constantly toward the inn, as if watching for some spectacle.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Linsall was staid enough throughout the year; but, like Peggy Mathewson, she made the most of her big holiday.

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

From this reading The Squire was there, and his womenfolk, rubbing shoulders with yeomen and their wives; farm-hands pressed close against the stonework of the bridge, and held their bairns to see what was going forward.