Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

later than; following

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

(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 had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

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

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

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

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

the quality of being kind and gentle

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

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

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

quick and energetic

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

put or send forth

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

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

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

the yard associated with a church

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

plural of “complexity” — the quality of being intricate and compounded

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

the best people or things in a group

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

a movement into or inward

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

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

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

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

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

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

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

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

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

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

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

humorously sarcastic or mocking

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

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

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

a woman of refinement

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

evil or harmful in nature or influence

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

plural of “marsh” — low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

overgrown with moss

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

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

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

not any; not one

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

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

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

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

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

courteous regard for people's feelings

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

try to get or reach

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

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

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

reflecting light

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

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

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

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

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

in or at that place or location

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

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

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

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

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

a twisting force

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

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 The sunlight falling through the interstices of the dark mossy trees cast liver-coloured patches on his black coat.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

the act of using

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

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

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

at the time that

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

in or at the place that

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

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

From this reading But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had certainly thought she had heard this ironic respectfulness, and she had stared after him with a sudden dread that under the cream of benignity there might after all be a ferment of malign intention.

showing curiosity

From this reading It was no use wondering now whether or not Peacey had really murmured "Good day, ma'am," as they parted at the door of the church after their furtive marriage.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading She had turned and looked down, as she always did when human complexities made her seek reassurance as to the worth of this world, on the shiny mud-flats, blue-veined with the running tides, and green marshes where the redshanks choired.

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 But that gait, which was so light and brisk for such a heavy man, had already taken him some distance from her, and he was now entering the yew alley that was the private way from Torque Hall to the churchyard.