used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
ALTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
cedarsnounUS /ˈsiːdərz/
plural of “cedar” — any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
darkestadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkəst/
superlative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
devoidadjectiveUS /dɪˈvɔɪd/
completely wanting or lacking
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
dispiritingadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/
destructive of morale and self-reliance
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
divisible by two
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
GRANGEnounUS /ɡreɪndʒ/
an outlying farm
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
hedgesnounUS /ˈhedʒɪz/
plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
holliesnounUS /ˈhɑːliz/
plural of “holly” — any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
huesnounUS /hjuːz/
plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
junipersnounUS /ˈdʒuːnɪpərz/
plural of “juniper” — desert shrub of Syria and Arabia having small white flowers; constitutes the juniper of the Old Testament; sometimes placed in genus Genista
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
luxuriating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
mercurialadjectiveUS /mərˈkjʊriəl/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
used to form the superlative
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
as might be expected
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/
covered with growing plants
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
overshadowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊd/
past form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
plantationsnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “plantation” — an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
saddeningverbUS /ˈsædənɪŋ/
-ing form of “sadden” — make unhappy
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
express in words
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
shrubnounUS /ʃrʌb/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
shrubberies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
soberingadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbərɪŋ/
tending to make sober or more serious
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Every tree and shrub of the darkest hues, seemed to shut out the sunlight from Alton Grange.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading To one naturally of a melancholy turn of mind, its aspect was positively dispiriting.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
unthinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Outside the house the grounds were overgrown with plantations and shrubberies, unthinned, and luxuriating into a wilderness that was not devoid of beauty, but it was a beauty of a sombre and uncomfortable character.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ALTON GRANGE A dreary old place was Alton Grange, and one which would have had a sobering, not to say saddening, effect, even on the most mercurial temperament.
yewnounUS /juː/
wood of a yew; especially the durable fine-grained light brown or red wood of the English yew valued for cabinetwork and archery bows
From this reading Huge cedars overshadowed the slope behind the house; hollies, junipers, and yew hedges kept the garden in perpetual night.
