Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

anew

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

(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 The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

having balconies or a balcony

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

having had the head cut off

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

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

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

placed crosswise

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

traveling across

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

the first light of day

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

very lively and profitable

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

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

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

temporary military shelter

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

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

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

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

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

not divisible by two

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

and nothing more

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

make a painting

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

a small contrasting part of something

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

plural of “pier” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

not in physical motion

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

take away possessions from someone

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

closely encircling

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

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

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

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

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

having come into contact

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

plural of “turret” — a small tower extending above a building

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

in a way that was not expected

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

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

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

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

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

plural of “waste” — any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading PRECY-SUR-OISE The light of dawn touched Paris, the wastes of snow surrounding her, forests, villages scattered in the forest and plains around Senlis, Chantilly, Boran, Precy.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

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

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

belonging to which person

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The dark receded in the west; in the east a green light spread upwards from the horizon, touched the banks of the black Oise, the roofs of the houses of Precy, the dark window panes, and the flanks of the granite piers that stood beheaded in the water--all that was left of the great bridge that had crossed from bank to bank.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading In summer, fresh with paint, the outside of the house must wave its vulgar little hands into the sky, but now, everything that bristled upon it served only as a fresh support for the snow which hung in deep drifts on its roof, and around its balconied windows.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Upon a patch of snow above the river and below the road stood a flourishing little house covered with gables and turrets; and odd shapes like the newel-posts of staircases climbed unexpectedly about the roof.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading Above the river stood the station hut and the wooden gates of the level crossing, upon which the night lantern still hung; above again a strip of snow divided the railway line from the road, at the other side of whose stone wall the village itself began, and stretched backwards up a hill.