Chapter I

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But there’s sure a way to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come-True.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

a process of becoming deeper and more profound

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

the amount per unit size

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading But there’s sure a way to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come-True.

a very dark black

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

an old word for “before”

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

an agenda of things to do

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

inflected form of “fret” — worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

not admitting of penetration or passage into or through

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading Margaret Pedler.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

and nothing more

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading Margaret Pedler.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

an artist's brush made of sable hairs

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

filled with shade

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

successive (without a break)

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

act of expanding by lengthening or widening

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading But there’s sure a way to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come-True.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading But there’s sure a way to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come-True.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

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 THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But there’s sure a way to the House of Dreams, To the House of Dreams-Come-True.

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

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

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

From this reading THE great spaces of the hall seemed to slope away into impenetrable gloom; velvet darkness deepening imperceptibly into sable density of panelled wall; huge, smoke-blackened beams, stretching wide arms across the roof, showing only as a dim lattice-work of ebony, fretting the shadowy twilight overhead.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.

but in spite of that

From this reading We shall find it yet, ere the sun has set, If we fare straight on, come fine, come wet, Wayfarers--I and you.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It’s a strange road leads to the House of Dreams, Its hills are steep and its valleys deep, And salt with tears the Wayfarers weep, The Wayfarers--I and you.