Chapter II · Knights Errant

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

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

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

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

completely unclothed

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

a partially opened flower

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

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

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

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

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

plural of “daffodil” — any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

a female human offspring

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

being one more than seventeen

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

a social unit living together

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

brought together in one place

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

of green tinged with grey

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

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

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

only a very short time before

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

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

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

plural of “hyacinth” — a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

full of or characterized by joy

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

set down according to a plan

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

go away from a place

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

plural of “mead” — United States anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in Polynesian cultures (1901-1978)

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

the force of workers available

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

plural of “miss” — a young female

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

existing in great number or quantity

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

comparative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

protected from danger or bad weather

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

the season of growth

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

not in physical motion

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

a county in southeastern England on the Thames

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

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

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

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

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

in a typical manner

From this reading A more attractive and typically English group could hardly be imagined.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

plural of “veranda” — a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

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

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

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

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

which person or people

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The touch of spring was upon the Surrey meads and Surrey hills, and a tender gray-green veil adorned the boughs laid bare by winter winds.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before an ideal country-house, low and rambling, with plentiful green lattice-work for the creepers beginning now to bud, and broad terraces sheltered by verandas overlooking a trim tennis-lawn and a flower-garden gay with hyacinths and daffodils, in joyous flower, a comely group was gathered.

a late time of life

From this reading Eighteen years had passed since the flight of Clare Lady Cranstoun and the birth of her daughter Stella.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Two young men, who had been for three days guests, were taking leave of Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite, the three pretty Misses Braithwaite, their still prettier cousin, and the two young brothers of the family.