Chapter XXIV

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

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

rid of obstructions

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

the act of closing something

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

completely wanting or lacking

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

your usual mood

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

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

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

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

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

the quality of having no practical use

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

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

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

immediately past

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

occurring from time to time

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

and nothing more

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

plural of “peacock” — European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

a state of peace and quiet

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

cut with a saw

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

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

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

not in physical motion

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

past form of “terrace” — provide (a house) with a terrace

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

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

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For, indeed, for some time past she had felt her existence closing round her with an incomprehensible quietude; and that is harder for the patience than an incomprehensible noise.

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

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

create by training and teaching

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

a small tower extending above a building

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading She was not unlike one of the peacocks herself in beauty, and some might have said, in inutility; she had the proud head and the sweeping train; nor was she, in these days, devoid of the occasional disposition to scream.

the topmost one of two

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

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 Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

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

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

at the time that

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Whenever from the turret windows she had a sight of the sea, it seemed to be farther away.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE ENIGMAS OF LADY JOAN ON an evening when the sky was clear and only its fringes embroidered with the purple arabesques of the sunset, Joan Brett was walking on the upper lawn of the terraced garden at Ivywood, where the peacocks trail themselves about.

wood of a yew; especially the durable fine-grained light brown or red wood of the English yew valued for cabinetwork and archery bows

From this reading Whenever she looked at the old yew hedges of the garden they seemed to be higher than when she saw them last; as if those living walls could still grow to shut her in.