used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
cottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
ditchnounUS /dɪtʃ/
a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
divisible by two
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
ill-conditioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
the act of departing
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
not any; not one
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
northeastnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/
the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
plagueverbUS /pleɪɡ/
cause to suffer a blight
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
roadsidenounUS /ˈroʊdsaɪd/
edge of a way or road or path
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
slumberousadjective
quiet and tranquil
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
strickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
possessing sweep
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
travelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
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 Not a breath stirred in the trees by the roadside, not a movement in hedge or ditch; some plague might have swept across the land, leaving it stricken and desolate, even the cottages here and there showed no lights and appeared to be deserted.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A solemn twilight, heavy and oppressive, was closing a dull, slumberous day.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It was late in the year for such weather.
but in spite of that
From this reading The road ran straight between ill-conditioned and neglected fields, and for an hour or more no traveler had passed this way, yet it was a high road, and at a few miles distance was Paris.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Yonder toward the northeast lay the city, the twilight heavy over it too, but it was not silent.
