Chapter I

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

present in great quantity

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading Do you anticipate sentiment, and poetry, and reverie?

any thing at all

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

a period of 100 years

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

the first light of day

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do you anticipate sentiment, and poetry, and reverie?

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading Do you expect passion, and stimulus, and melodrama?

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

the act of departing

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

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

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization

From this reading Do you expect passion, and stimulus, and melodrama?

the middle of the day

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

the middle of the day

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

a local church community

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

go across or through

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading Do you expect passion, and stimulus, and melodrama?

literature in metrical form

From this reading Do you anticipate sentiment, and poetry, and reverie?

something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

absentminded dreaming while awake

From this reading Do you anticipate sentiment, and poetry, and reverie?

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading Do you anticipate sentiment, and poetry, and reverie?

a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

express in speech

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

From this reading Do you expect passion, and stimulus, and melodrama?

suffering from overexposure to direct sunlight

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

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

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

precisely as stated

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

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

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back to the beginning of this century: late years--present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the midday in slumber, and dream of dawn.

a late time of life

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great deal of good.