used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
in the past
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
in addition
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
enticeverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪs/
provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
evergreennounUS /ˈevərɡriːn/
a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
to an extreme degree
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
a social unit living together
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
set up or found
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
gravel-walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
incautiousadjective
lacking in caution
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
instigationnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈɡeɪʃən/
the verbal act of urging on
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
letter-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the literary culture
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
lopsidedadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːpˈsaɪdɪd/
having one side lower or smaller or lighter than the other
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
and nothing more
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
established beyond doubt
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
receptaclenounUS /rɪˈsep.tə.kəl/
An object or container used to hold or store something.
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
regulationnounUS /ˌreɡjəˈleɪʃən/
an authoritative rule
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
sparrownounUS /ˈsperoʊ/
any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
possessing sweep
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
a special situation
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
tutorverbUS /ˈtuːtər/
be a tutor to someone; give individual instruction
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
the act of using
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very ugly bush indeed; that is, so far as any thing in nature can be really ugly.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
weak-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had a crooked gnarled trunk or stem, hollow enough to entice any weak-minded bird to build a nest there--only it was so near to the ground, and also to the garden gate.
in or at the place that
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was lopsided--having on the one hand a stunted stump or two, while on the other a huge heavy branch swept down to the gravel-walk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This letter-box; made by the boys of the family at the instigation and with the assistance of their tutor, had proved so attractive to some exceedingly incautious sparrow that during the intervals of the post she had begun a nest there, which was found by the boys.
a late time of life
From this reading Besides, the owners of the garden, evidently of practical mind, had made use of it to place between a fork in its branches a sort of letter-box--not the government regulation one, for twenty years ago this had not been thought of; but a rough receptacle, where, the house being a good way off, letters might be deposited, instead of; as hitherto, in a hole in the trunk--near the foot of the tree, and under shelter of its mass of evergreen leaves.
