Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DOG.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

(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 The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

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

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

a line of approach

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

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

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DOG.

comical in an odd or whimsical manner

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

the act of departing

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

the hole where a key is inserted

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

any of various plants of the genus Verbascum having large usually woolly leaves and terminal spikes of yellow or white or purplish flowers

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

of an obscure nature

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DOG.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

above and across; more than

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

covered with growing plants

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

covered with a firm surface

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

look furtively

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

plural of “slab” — block consisting of a thick piece of something

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

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

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

a person, without saying who

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

express in words

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

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

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

not firmly fastened or secured

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

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 Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

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

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.

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

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

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

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

in the company of; together with

From this reading From the gate to the porch went a wide walk, paved with smooth slabs of dark stone, and bordered with the tall bushes which met overhead, making a green roof.

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

From this reading If it had suddenly grown up like a magic bean-stalk, and looked in on a certain June day, it would have seen a droll but pleasant sight, for somebody evidently was going to have a party.

a late time of life

From this reading The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on.