used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
completely unclothed
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
borderingverbUS /ˈbɔːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “border” — extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
CardinalnounUS /ˈkɑːrdənəl/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
a period of 100 years
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
crowningadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊnɪŋ/
representing a level of the highest possible achievement or attainment
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
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 Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
Elaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
great-grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
leaflessadjectiveUS /ˈliːfləs/
having no leaves
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
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 Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
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 Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
not one, and not any
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
outpostnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊst/
a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
Phillip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
Phillip's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
in the near future
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
rearingnounUS /ˈrɪrɪŋ/
the properties acquired as a consequence of the way you were treated as a child
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
precisely, exactly
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
done under pressure
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
sentinelnounUS /ˈsentənəl/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
sunlitadjectiveUS /ˈsʌnlɪt/
lighted by sunlight
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
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 Presently they passed through a second gate and left the outpost of trees behind.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading To the right stretched a broad expanse of turf, bare of trees or shrubs; Phillip called it the lawn.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
directed up
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
plural of “wall” — 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 It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
at the time that
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading John drew a breath of intense pleasure as he looked, while Cardinal, moved to new impatience by the sight of the stables, rushed around the curve that, bordering the lawn, led to the house.
a Caucasian
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It led upward to a sloping terrace upon which, fair and white against a dense background of winter woods, guarded by a few sentinel trees which threw their leafless shadows upon the sunlit walls, stood the house, crowning the splendour of the landscape with its own gleaming beauty and quiet dignity.
a late time of life
From this reading Elaine had been built by Phillip’s great-grandfather in the early part of the century, when three or four years was thought none too long for the rearing of a home.
