used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
(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 For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
aspectsnounUS /ˈæspekts/
plural of “aspect” — a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
befellverbUS /bɪˈfel/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
burrowsnounUS /ˈbɜːroʊz/
plural of “burrow” — a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
congestedadjectiveUS /kənˈdʒestəd/
overfull as with blood
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
dischargeverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
complete or carry out
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
garneringverbUS /ˈɡɑːrnərɪŋ/
-ing form of “garner” — acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
a man of refinement
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
hedgerows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
hob-nobbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
hugverbUS /hʌɡ/
hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
lares
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
immediately past
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
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 For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
packedadjectiveUS /pækt/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
pondsnounUS /pɑːndz/
plural of “pond” — a small lake
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
presentments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
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 Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
rabbitsnounUS /ˈræbəts/
plural of “rabbit” — any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
rigidlyadverbUS /ˈrɪdʒɪdli/
in a rigid manner
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
sapverbUS /sæp/
deplete
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
cut with a saw
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
the season of growth
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
starknessnounUS /ˈstɑːrknɪs/
the quality of being complete or utter or extreme
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
caught or fixed
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
a special situation
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
up to a particular time
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
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 Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
precisely as stated
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
wanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For all the starkness of frost that now befell, it was not till the early days of February that the packed heavens began to discharge themselves of the congested stores of snow they had been long garnering.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
a Caucasian
From this reading But to our gentleman waking one morning, there was earnest of the first white fall outside in the wan light struck rigidly from the ceiling.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading Familiar presentments of trees and buildings offered strange new aspects as seen from the middle of frozen ponds, and the very least sap of nature was so withdrawn as that it seemed a marvel the principle of life could endure, to hug itself with any promise of spring.
witheredadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading By then the ground was iron a foot deep; the last green thing was withered upon itself; dead birds hung in the hedgerows and rabbits were stuck stiff in their burrows.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He rose and went to the window, and saw the cold sheet spread, pure and beautiful and hiding all his world; and at that he knew himself committed to such a prolonged hob-nobbing with his _lares_ as he had never before experienced.
