used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
from appearances alone
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
the first light of day
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
Garth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
GrimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
inhabitantnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənt/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
become covered with mist
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
in motion
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
not any; not one
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
Rafiel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
Rebekahnoun
(Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
reverenceverbUS /ˈrevərəns/
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
move upward
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
the season of growth
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
starchnounUS /stɑːrtʃ/
a complex carbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
taciturnadjectiveUS /ˈtæsɪtɜːrn/
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
Trenchards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
precisely as stated
From this reading Upon the Sunday morning that followed the “Feast” at Rafiel, very early indeed, she was moving about the passages.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Looking out on to the lawn and bushes, wet with mist, she knew that it would be a bad day....
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Grimly complete, starch and stiff and taciturn, she would be about the dim house, feeling nothing of the cold blackness of a winter morning, finding apparently no pleasure in the beauty of a summer dawn.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading SUNDAY On no day of the year—spring, summer, autumn, or winter, did any inhabitant of Garth House rise before Rebekah.
an affirmative
From this reading Her business was with the House—human beings (yes, Trenchards as well as the rest) she despised—for Houses she could feel reverence ... they were stronger than she.
