Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

later than; following

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

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

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

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

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

a brother by marriage

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

a dense growth of bushes

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

being ten more than seventy

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

adorned with feathers or plumes

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

having the pinkish flush of health

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

set up or found

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

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

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

and nothing more

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

English economist who advocated the use of government monetary and fiscal policy to maintain full employment without inflation (1883-1946)

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

immediately past

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

staying power

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

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

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

term of address for a man

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

someone who engages in sports

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

suffering from overexposure to direct sunlight

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

carry out

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

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

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

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

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

up to a particular time

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

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

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

look attentively

From this reading Ralph had ridden out after the party had left, and had found Sir Nicholas at the close of the afternoon just as the last drive was about to take place; and had stepped into his shelter to watch the finish.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

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

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

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

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.

which person or people

From this reading Ralph nodded to his brother-in-law, who was flushed and sunburnt, and then stood behind, running his eyes up and down that sturdy figure with the tightly-gaitered legs set well apart and the little feathered cap that moved this way and that as the sportsman peered through the branches before him.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was not until the party was riding home the next day that Sir Nicholas Maxwell and his wife were informed of Chris’ decision.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They had had a fair day’s sport in the two estates that marched with one another between Overfield and Great Keynes, and about fifteen stags had been killed as well as a quantity of smaller game.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading It was a still, hot afternoon, and the air over the open space between the copse in which they stood and the dense forest eighty yards away danced in the heat.