Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

later than; following

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

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

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

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

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

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

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

past form of “bubble” — form, produce, or emit bubbles

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

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

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

a tract of land used for burials

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

set close together

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

plural of “corps” — an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

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

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

slightly wet

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

set up or found

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

exceeding demand

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

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

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

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

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

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

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

for more time

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

absolutely essential

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

not any; not one

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

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

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

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

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

above and across; more than

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

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

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

inflected form of “purify” — remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

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

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

possessing material wealth

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

deplete

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

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

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

unusual or striking

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

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

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

the season of growth

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

(of growing vegetation) having just emerged from the ground

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds

From this reading Beneath one’s feet amidst the close-set stalks one could feel that the damp soil reeked and bubbled with sap.

dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

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

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

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

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

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

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

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

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

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

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

all the plant life in a particular region or period

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

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 The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

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

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

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

From this reading Then the old abandoned cemetery had been gradually purified by the dark thick-set vegetation which had sprouted over it every spring.

during the time that

From this reading The tall weeds overtopped the walls after the May rains and the June sunshine so as to be visible from the high road; while inside, the place presented the appearance of a deep, dark green sea studded with large blossoms of singular brilliancy.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The soil had been so glutted with corpses that it had been found necessary to open a new burial-ground at the other end of town.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading The rich soil, in which the gravediggers could no longer delve without turning up some human remains, was possessed of wondrous fertility.