Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
ALLINGTON
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From this reading DOWN AT ALLINGTON.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
architecture
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From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DOWN AT ALLINGTON.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
bough
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From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
building
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From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
Christmas-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
Church
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From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
coming
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From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
corner
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From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
Crawley
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From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
Dale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
day
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From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
decorations
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From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
DOWN
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From this reading DOWN AT ALLINGTON.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
Eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
fastened
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From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
Grace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
greeneries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
handiwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
holly-leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
idle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
inserted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
ivy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
Lily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
old-fashioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
pulpit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
sprigs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
stuck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
twig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
unused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas-time down at Allington, and at three o'clock on Christmas Eve, just as the darkness of the early winter evening was coming on, Lily Dale and Grace Crawley were seated together, one above the other, on the steps leading up to the pulpit in Allington Church.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And the greeneries of the winter had not been stuck up in the old-fashioned, idle way, a bough just fastened up here and a twig inserted there; but everything had been done with some meaning, with some thought towards the original architecture of the building.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been working all day at the decorations of the church, and they were now looking round them at the result of their handiwork.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To an eye unused to the gloom the place would have been nearly dark; but they could see every corner turned by the ivy sprigs, and every line on which the holly-leaves were shining.
