Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

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

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

a braking device consisting of a combination of interacting parts that work to slow a motor vehicle

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

traveling across

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

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

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

the act of enclosing something inside something else

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

possessive form of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

of the highest quality

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

plural of “friar” — a male member of a religious order that originally relied solely on alms

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

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

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

material resulting from the process of grinding

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

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

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

evasively worded in order to avoid an unqualified statement

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

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

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

ten 10s

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

covered with beads or jewels or sequins

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

provided with artificial light

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

expressing sorrow

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

characteristic of former times especially in Europe

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

on one occasion

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

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

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

a shaky motion

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

a public act of violence by an unruly mob

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

move hurridly

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

a native or inhabitant of Russia

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

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

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

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

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

past form of “slow” — lose velocity; move more slowly

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

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

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

a person, without saying who

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

make square

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

travel slowly

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading As she opened the door the twilight, shot by quivering spears of light from the fire’s dancing flames, seemed to rush out at her, bearing with it the mournful, heart-shaking music of some Russian melody.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

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

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading Magda entered the house and, crossing the cheerfully lit hall, threw open the door of a room whence issued the sound of someone--obviously a first-rate musician--playing the piano.

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

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

in the company of; together with

From this reading FRIARS’ HOLM With a grinding of brakes the taxi slowed up and came to a standstill at Friars’ Holm, the quaint old Queen Anne house which Magda had acquired in north London.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Once within the high wall enclosing the old-world garden in which it stood, it was easy enough to imagine oneself a hundred miles from town.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Fir and cedar sentinelled the house, and in the centre of the garden there was a lawn of wonderful old turf, hedged round in summer by a riot of roses so that it gleamed like a great square emerald set in a jewelled frame.