Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

later than; following

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

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

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

the two together, not just one

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

make calm or still

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

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

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

plural of “dew” — water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

and nothing more

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

by chance

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

past form of “roost” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

not agitated; without losing self-possession

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

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

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

affording physical relief

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

the season of growth

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

not in physical motion

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

in the direction of

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

impressive by reason of age

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

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

From this reading The night had now commenced, and Sibyll was still listening--or, perhaps, listening not--to the soothing babble of the venerable servant.

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

From this reading They were both seated in the little room that adjoined the hall, and their only light came through the door opening on the garden,--a gray, indistinct twilight, relieved by the few earliest stars.

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

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading The peacock, his head under his wing, roosted on the balustrade, and the song of the nightingale, from amidst one of the neighbouring copses, which studded the ground towards the chase of Marybone, came soft and distant on the serene air.

accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The balm and freshness of spring were felt in the dews, in the skies, in the sweet breath of young herb and leaf; through the calm of ever-watchful nature, it seemed as if you might mark, distinct and visible, minute after minute, the blessed growth of April into May.