Chapter XX

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading He had twenty or thirty acres and a few cows.

anew

From this reading No one will live in it again.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

the residue that remains when something is burned

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “boast” — speaking of yourself in superlatives

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

plural of “compartment” — a space into which an area is subdivided

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading He had twenty or thirty acres and a few cows.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

no longer in use

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

house for a farmer and family

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “flaw” — an imperfection in an object or machine

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading He had twenty or thirty acres and a few cows.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

having a usually specified type of handle

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

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

From this reading No one will live in it again.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No one will live in it again.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

making or causing a harsh and irritating sound

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading No one will live in it again.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a recognition of meritorious service

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

not any; not one

From this reading No one will live in it again.

impressive in appearance

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

on one occasion

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one will live in it again.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had twenty or thirty acres and a few cows.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

above and across; more than

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

affixed or as if affixed with glue or paste

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

by chance

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

literature in metrical form

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

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

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

with regret (used in polite formulas)

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

put in the mind of someone

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

third-person singular of “retain” — hold back within

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

a reddish brown homespun fabric

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

a thin wedge of material (wood or metal or stone) for driving into crevices

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

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

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “spade” — a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

plural of “split” — extending the legs at right angles to the trunk (one in front and the other in back)

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

not in physical motion

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a county in southern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that was captured by Wessex in the 9th century

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading He had twenty or thirty acres and a few cows.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

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

From this reading EARTH CHILDREN I Their house is a small russet cave of three dim compartments--part of a farmhouse, the rest having fallen to ruin, and from human hands to the starlings, the sparrows, and the rats.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading He had twenty or thirty acres and a few cows.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

plural of “tyne” — a river in northern England that flows east to the North Sea

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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 Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

be dressed in

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

at the time that

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

in or at the place that

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

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

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading No one will live in it again.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Inside, it is held together by the solid poetry of their lives, by gay-coloured, cheerful, tradesmen’s pictures of well-dressed children and blooming horsewomen, and the dogs of gentlemen, memorial cards of the dead, a few photographs, some picture post-cards pasted over flaws in the wall, and the worn furniture of several disconnected generations.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The old man’s tools in the kitchen are noble--the heavy wrought iron, two-toothed hoe, that falls pleasantly upon the hard clay and splits it without effort and without jarring the hand, its ash handle worn thin where his hand has glided at work, a hand that nothing will wear smooth; the glittering, yellow handled spades and forks; the disused shovel with which he boasts regretfully that he could dig his garden when he lived on deep loam in a richer country than this; and still the useless “hop-idgit” of six tynes--the Sussex “shim”--which he retains to remind others, and perhaps himself, that he was a farmer once.