Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer

From this reading Eastern as the scene was, the actors were for the most part English.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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

From this reading Eastern as the scene was, the actors were for the most part English.

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

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

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

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading Eastern as the scene was, the actors were for the most part English.

one or the other of two

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

confined on all sides

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Eastern as the scene was, the actors were for the most part English.

comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

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

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

provided with artificial light

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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 Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Eastern as the scene was, the actors were for the most part English.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

a small lake

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

only a very short time before

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.

decoration consisting of an open pattern of interlacing ribs

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

having or denoting a high range

From this reading In a treble row they encircled a large tank or pond and studded a little island in its center.

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

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

the topmost one of two

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

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

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

during the time that

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Along the terraces were festoons and arches of innumerable lamps, while behind was the Palace or Castle, for it was called either; the Oriental doors and windows and the tracery of its walls lit up below by the soft light, while the outline of the upper part could scarce be made out.

plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading Throughout the gardens lanterns of many shapes and devices threw their light down upon the paths, which were marked out by lines of little lamps suspended on wires a foot above the ground.

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

From this reading It would be difficult to find a fairer scene.