Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

third-person singular of “adorn” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into 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 The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

in addition

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

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

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

contrived by art rather than nature

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

a city in northwestern Belgium that is connected by canal to the North Sea; in the 13th century it was a leading member of the Hanseatic League; the old city (known as the City of Bridges) is a popular tourist attraction

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

make calm or still

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

strongly attracted

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

determine the essential quality of

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

true confidential information

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

causing distress or worry or anxiety

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

move gently or carefully

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

an ethnic group speaking Flemish and living in northern and western Belgium

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

plural of “interior” — the region that is inside of something

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

on one occasion

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

make a painting

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

a fence made of upright pickets

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

a person who requires medical care

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

third-person singular of “remind” — put in the mind of someone

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

plural of “settle” — a long wooden bench with a back

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

possessive form of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

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

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

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

From this reading The gardens look as though they were artificial; and in the frame of the open windows we see interiors which are as sharp as pictures.

at the time that

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

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

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

belonging to which person

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It reminds me of Bruges, whose infinite, patient calm is a clean page on which the visitor's life is printed, happy or distressful at will, since there is nothing to define its character.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The house-fronts gleaming with fresh paint, the pigeons picking their way across the streets, the grass growing between the cobble-stones, the flowers outside the windows and doors, a cleanliness that adorns the smallest details: all this is so calm and so empty that our life at once settles there as in a frame that takes with equal ease the happy or the sad picture which we propose to fit into it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I arrived at Neufchatel at the gracious hour when the sun is paling; and I was at once charmed with the kindly aspect of this little Norman town.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It also has the silence of the little Flemish towns, with their streets without carriages or wayfarers.