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 In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

(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 It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

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

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

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

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

plural of “catalogue” — a complete list of things; usually arranged systematically

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

the act of constructing something

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

gotten under control

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

plural of “delicacy” — the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

turn aside; turn away from

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

a social unit living together

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

brought together in one place

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

a long fixed look

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

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

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

a social unit living together

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

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

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

and nothing more

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

plural of “lime” — a caustic substance produced by heating limestone

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

the act of tarrying

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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 Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

having strong sexual appeal

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

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

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

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

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

above and across; more than

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

plural of “peach” — cultivated in temperate regions

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

-ing form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

the owner or manager of a plantation

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

in a bountiful manner

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

possessing material wealth

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

plural of “strawberry” — sweet fleshy red fruit

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

plural of “sweet” — English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

a thick sweet sticky liquid

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

in a tempting seductive manner

From this reading Geeche limes, almost drowned in their own rich syrup, temptingly displayed their bronze-coloured forms just above the rim of the glass that contained them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

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

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

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

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

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

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Opposite, and as if to divert the gaze from lingering too long over their luscious beauty, was a dish of peaches preserved in brandy, a never-failing article in a Southern matron's catalogues of sweets.

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

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.

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

From this reading In which the Reader is introduced to a Family of peculiar Construction.

a Caucasian

From this reading In the centre stood a dish of ripe strawberries, their plump red sides peeping through the covering of white sugar that had been plentifully sprinkled over them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was at the close of an afternoon in May, that a party might have been seen gathered around a table covered with all those delicacies that, in the household of a rich Southern planter, are regarded as almost necessaries of life.