adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
AnnenounUS /æn/
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
apologisingverbUS /əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “apologise” — defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
aspennounUS /ˈæspən/
any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
barnsnounUS /bɑːrnz/
plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/
growing close together but not in dense mats
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
creaturenounUS /ˈkriːtʃər/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
cuckoonounUS /ˈkʌkuː/
a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
dipverbUS /dɪp/
immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
dreadnounUS /dred/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
driveverbUS /draɪv/
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
establishedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
exasperatedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæspəreɪtɪd/
greatly annoyed; out of patience
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
flat-roofed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
frequentedverbUS /ˈfriːkwəntɪd/
past form of “frequent” — do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
glinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
HOLM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
hootnounUS /huːt/
a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
imperturbableadjective
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
impressionableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənəbəl/
easily impressed or influenced
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
manor-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
moralsnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlz/
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
motor-cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
OAKSnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
panesnounUS /peɪnz/
plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
principlenounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
QueennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
rooksnounUS /rʊks/
plural of “rook” — (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/
not often
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
shooknounUS /ʃʊk/
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
stayverbUS /steɪ/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
stonesnounUS /stoʊnz/
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
sunbeams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading A huge aspen--impressionable creature--shivered and shook beyond, apologising for appearance among such imperturbable surroundings.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
threwverbUS /θruː/
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
walledverbUS /wɔːld/
past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In front of it a fringe of elms, of all trees the tree of most established principle, bordered the stretch of turf between the gravel drive and road; and these elms were the homes of rooks of all birds the most conventional.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
white-framed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading HOLM OAKS Holm Oaks stood back but little from the road--an old manor-house, not set upon display, but dwelling close to its barns, stables, and walled gardens, like a good mother; long, flat-roofed, red, it had Queen Anne windows, on whose white-framed diamond panes the sunbeams glinted.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It was frequented by a cuckoo, who came once a year to hoot at the rules of life, but seldom made long stay; for boys threw stones at it, exasperated by the absence of its morals.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The village which clustered in the dip had not yet lost its dread of motor-cars.
