Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

possessing life

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

past form of “bask” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

a man who is a stupid incompetent fool

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

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

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

ranking above all others

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “glade” — a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

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

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

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

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

a particular point in time

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

plural of “moss” — tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

outlying areas (as of a city or town)

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

compacted by ironing

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

plural of “rabbit” — any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

-ing form of “recognize” — accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

have sovereign power

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

start suddenly, as from fright

From this reading Mopsie was on my neck in a moment, but Jane was a little shy.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

a special situation

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

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 A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

a group of soldiers

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

without forethought or plan; inadvertently

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

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

From this reading Early summer was already upon the land, flowers were blooming, and the reign of sunshine had begun.

in or at the place that

From this reading A troop of us were riding one day along the moor, and by the outskirts of the road, I, being foremost, espied two figures at a distance among the trees, and recognizing the girls from the farm, I pressed on and came on them unawares, where they were down on their knees, gathering mosses out of the grass.

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

From this reading A little thing happened which surprised me.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The cuckoo haunted the Hall gardens, rabbits basked in the glades, and the woods were alive with singing birds.