used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
alders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
for the reason that
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
Brantholme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
broad-shoulderedadjective
having broad shoulders
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
cornfieldnounUS /ˈkɔːrnfiːld/
a field planted with corn
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
the act of departing
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
dew-damped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
dwellverbUS /dwel/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
apart from; not including
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
George'snounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒəz/
possessive form of “george” — Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
graynessnoun
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
moodilyadverb
in a moody manner
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
not in physical motion
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
palelyadverb
in a manner lacking interest or vitality
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
the possibility of future success
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
not in physical motion
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
streaknounUS /striːk/
an unbroken series of events
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
precisely as stated
From this reading Except for the low murmur of the stream, it was very still; and the air was heavy with the smell of dew-damped soil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He leaned upon the gate, a broad-shouldered, motionless figure; his eyes fixed moodily upon the prospect, because he was afraid to let them dwell upon his companion.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Near its foot the water gleamed palely among overhanging alders, and in the distance the hills faded into the grayness of the eastern sky.
a Caucasian
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A MATTER OF DUTY On the evening before George's departure, Sylvia stood with him at the entrance to the Brantholme drive.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading In front, across the dim white road, a cornfield ran down to the river, and on one side of it a wood towered in a shadowy mass against a soft green streak of light.
