Chapter XIX

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

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

(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 old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

so thin as to transmit light

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

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

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

a small house with a single story

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

-ing form of “estimate” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

divisible by two

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

marked by or showing hopelessness

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

inflected form of “gad” — wander aimlessly in search of pleasure

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

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

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

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

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

the act of locking something up to protect it

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

marked by complexity and richness of detail

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

engage in

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

a form of address for a man

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

inspiring mixed contempt and pity

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

filled with bewilderment

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

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

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

in or at that place or location

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

American architect (1759-1828)

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

the upper part of anything

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

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 may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading He was not a real estate agent estimating its value, nor a mechanic contriving how he might make it good as new; for his cultured face had not the sharp business look of the one, neither did his elegant attire belong to the latter.

a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading It may be that Mr. Thornton was musing upon the possibilities of the forlorn little house, thinking it pitiful that even houses, trees and vines should not make the most of themselves.

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

From this reading What was there in the dingy, cobwebby place to call for so much thought as he seemed to be putting upon it?

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

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

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

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.

common North American vine with compound leaves and bluish-black berrylike fruit

From this reading The old place might have been picturesque in its day, but now the luxuriant growth of lawn and garden were all in a tangle; the maples and elms were locking arms, and that "gadding vine," the woodbine, had strayed away to the top of the tall hemlock.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading IT would have puzzled many of his friends to understand what possible interest Mr. Thornton could have had in the old cottage which he stood surveying.