Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

how long something has existed

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading THREE BACHELOKS.

for the reason that

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

(of hair or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown color

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

plural of “evidence” — your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

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

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

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

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

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 The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

the force of workers available

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

not any; not one

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

above and across; more than

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

the activity of protecting something from loss or danger

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

at an earlier time or formerly

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

past form of “rent” — let for money

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading THREE BACHELOKS.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.

to an exceedingly great extent or degree

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

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

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading It was because of these evidences of antiquity, although the house was in good preservation and vastly comfortable, that it had been picked out and rented by the three men, two weeks previously.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

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

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

which person or people

From this reading Near the centre of the north side of the block stood a house in which three men, who have much to do in this story, were whiling away an hour before dinner, at the edge of evening, in the month of December, 185-.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading The house had strange stones let in over the windows and door, and was broad and sturdy, and was entered by steps slightly worn, and was shaded by a tall and old chestnut tree, and showed many signs of age.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet the three men exhibited no marks of age, past or coming, upon them.