Chapter I

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

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

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

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

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

reflecting light

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

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

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

not accessible to view

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

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

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

past form of “jostle” — make one's way by jostling, pushing, or shoving

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

the act of departing

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

used to form the superlative

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

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

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

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

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

a coniferous tree

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

sit on one's heels

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

having a supporting base

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

walk unsteadily

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

express in words

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

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

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "CAPTAIN JANUARY," "MELODY," "THREE MARGARETS," "QUEEN HILDEGARDE," ETC.

conducive to or feeling mental discomfort

From this reading For the most part they jostled one another so close that one almost fancied they must be uncomfortable; but in one spot they fell away from a steep, rocky bank or ledge, drawing back and standing in a circle at some little distance, leaving an open space of sunny green, at the foot of the rock.

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

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

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

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The house was so well hidden, one might almost stumble against it before one became aware of it.

in or at the place that

From this reading It was on this open space that the house looked; and as the house was built of stone, and leaned up against the ledge behind it, one could hardly tell where man's hand had begun, or where left off.

in the company of; together with

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading All round the woods stood tall and dense, old woods of pine and hemlock, with here and there great smooth, squat beeches, and ragged, glistening yellow birches.