Chapter I

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

move towards

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

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

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

a woman author

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

grow worse

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

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

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

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

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

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

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?

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

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

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

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?

impressive in appearance

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

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

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?

a port city in northeastern England on the River Tyne; a center for coal exports (giving rise to the expression “carry coals to Newcastle” meaning to do something unnecessary)

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading “Each of the houses is exactly like the other,” she murmured to herself.

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

a perceptual structure

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

the paved surface of a thoroughfare

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

having pillars

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

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

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

in the near future

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

from appearances alone

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

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

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

plural of “shroud” — a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

marked by or emitting or filled with smoke

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

impressive in appearance

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

not in physical motion

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

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

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

a sudden or mysterious disappearance

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

migratory

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

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

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

belonging to which person

From this reading One dull afternoon--and it was in summer--a London authoress of some repute, whose nom-de-guerre was Egidia, was wandering along the pavement of a dull and imposing street in Newcastle.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She stood still presently, carefully scanning the solemn, stately houses with pillared porticos all of the self-same pattern, which run in an interminable row to a vanishing point seemingly far beyond conjecture.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Day was beginning to decline, but the approach of evening was not alone responsible for the heart-felt ejaculation of the South-country woman, “Oh, this Northern gloom!” as she walked along under the smoky pall that, summer and winter, shrouds the city.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading “In which, I wonder, does the Muse of Newcastle hold her court?