Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

in the past

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

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

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

an architectural product or work

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

plural of “bang” — a vigorous blow

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

set up or found

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

plural of “glade” — a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

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

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

someone who plays the harp

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

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

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, in many ways it suggested the primeval forest.

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

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Indeed, in many ways it suggested the primeval forest.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

bordered by a line of things

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

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

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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 Indeed, in many ways it suggested the primeval forest.

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

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

a form of address for a man

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

plural of “publication” — a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

affording physical or mental rest

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

disposed of to a purchaser

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

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

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Indeed, in many ways it suggested the primeval forest.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

plural of “tax” — charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

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

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

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

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

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

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

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

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

lacking any legal or binding force

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

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

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Indeed, in many ways it suggested the primeval forest.

which person or people

From this reading Then the Acre Hill Land Improvement Company sprang up in a night, and before the bewildered owners of its lovely solitudes and restful glades, who had been paying taxes on their property for many years, quite grasped the situation they found that they had sold out, and that their old-time paradise was as surely lost to them as was Eden to Adam and Eve.

in the company of; together with

From this reading To-day Acre Hill is gridironed with macadamized streets that are lined with houses of an architecture of various degrees of badness.

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

From this reading These stories by Mr. Bangs have appeared from time to time in _The Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion_, and the various publications of Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS.

a late time of life

From this reading Acre Hill ten years ago was as void of houses as the primeval forest.