Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

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

From this reading Alice stood back in the shelter of the broken parapet.

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

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Alice stood back in the shelter of the broken parapet.

past form of “beach” — land on a beach

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

offering little or no hope

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

having the spine damaged

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

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 The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

remove the dust from

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading A light snow powdered the earth, the grey forerunner of storms.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

covered with water

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a person who goes before or announces the coming of another

From this reading A light snow powdered the earth, the grey forerunner of storms.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading A light snow powdered the earth, the grey forerunner of storms.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

lacking zest or vivacity

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

inflected form of “nip” — squeeze tightly between the fingers

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

not any; not one

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony

From this reading Alice stood back in the shelter of the broken parapet.

consisting of fine particles

From this reading A light snow powdered the earth, the grey forerunner of storms.

in a state of progressive putrefaction

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Alice stood back in the shelter of the broken parapet.

(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading A light snow powdered the earth, the grey forerunner of storms.

wet through and through; thoroughly wet

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

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

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

go sour or spoil

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Alice stood back in the shelter of the broken parapet.

plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning

From this reading A light snow powdered the earth, the grey forerunner of storms.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

up to a particular time

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

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

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

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

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading THE BRIDGE OF BROKEN HEARTS Listless leaves were tossing in the light wind or borne downward in the swirl of the flooded Midburn, to the weary shallows where they lay, beached high and sodden, till the frost nipped and shrivelled their rottenness into dust.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading A bleak, thin wind it was, like a fine sour wine, searching the marrow and bringing no bloom to the cheek.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading The highway with its modern crossing-place was some hundreds of yards up stream, but here, at the burn mouth, where the turbid current joined with the cold, glittering Avelin, there was a grass-grown track, and an ancient, broken-backed bridge.