Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

later than; following

From this reading AFTER THE PIC-NIC.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading The place was called the Wizard's Cave.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading The place was called the Wizard's Cave.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

destroyed or killed

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

a small cave (usually with attractive features)

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

look over carefully

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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 A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

above and across; more than

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading AFTER THE PIC-NIC.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The place was called the Wizard's Cave.

plural of “praise” — an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

feeling great rapture or delight

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

of superior grade

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

a spirit that lives in or frequents the woods

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading AFTER THE PIC-NIC.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading The place was called the Wizard's Cave.

a steep descent of the water of a river

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading It was a gigantic grotto, near which flowed a waterfall of surpassing beauty.

which person or people

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.

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

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading The place was called the Wizard's Cave.

land that is covered with trees and shrubs

From this reading A wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a range of hills, one of which was crowned by the ruins of an old Norman castle that had stood many a siege in days gone by.

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

From this reading It would have been difficult to select a spot better adapted for a pic-nic; and some of the gentlemen who had ridden over to inspect the scene were rapturous in their praises of its sylvan beauty.