Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

(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 Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

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

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

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

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

a light shade of blue

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

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

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

shining intensely

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

bluish-grey sandstone used for paving and building

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

of short duration or distance

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

coming to maturity

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

the organ of sight

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

resembling glass in smoothness and shininess and slickness

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

plural of “glimpse” — a quick look

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

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

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

in direct opposition; directly

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

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

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

ten 10s

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

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

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

situated away from an area's coast or border

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

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

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

in a northern direction

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

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

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

United States civil rights leader who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery (Alabama) and so triggered the national Civil Rights movement (born in 1913)

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

go across or through

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

covered with a firm surface

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

not often

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

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

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

shaken into waves or undulations as by wind

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

plural of “section” — a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

a decrease in rate of change

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

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

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

make square

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

having a supporting base

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

not in physical motion

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

successive (without a break)

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

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

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

something that acts like a tentacle in its ability to grasp and hold

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

travel across or pass over

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

not diluted

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

a state of depression

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

plural of “wall” — 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 Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

at the time that

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

in or at the place that

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

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

From this reading DRIVING HEAD-ON It was mid-afternoon when they began to pass through that series of suburbs which the city has flung like a single tentacle northward for a hundred miles along the eastern banks of the Hudson.

past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive

From this reading And, every now and then, slowing down to traverse some village square and emerging from the further limits, the great river flashed into view, sometimes glassy still under high headlands or along towering parapets of mountains, sometimes ruffled and silvery where it widened into bay or inland sea, with a glimmer of distant villages on the further shore.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Over the western bank a blinding sun hung in a sky without a cloud--a sky of undiluted azure; but farther south, and as the sun declined, traces of vapours from the huge but still distant city stained the heavens.

plural of “woodland” — land that is covered with trees and shrubs

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading A smooth road of bluestone with a surface like velvet, rarely broken by badly paved or badly worn sections, ran straight south.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading Past mansions standing amid spacious lawns all ablaze with late summer and early autumn flowers they sped; past parks, long stretches of walls, high fences of wrought iron through which brief glimpses of woodlands and splendid gardens caught Rue's eye.