Chapter I

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

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

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

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

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

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

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

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

(of hair or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown color

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

expressing pain or dissatisfaction of resentment

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

without deviation

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

plural of “hillside” — the side or slope of a hill

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

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

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

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

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

attractive and tempting

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

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

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

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

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

a brief written record

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

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

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

above and across; more than

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

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

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

in a strange manner

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

the rays of the sun

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

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

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The sun stood directly overhead, and along the middle of that white, dusty road there was not an inch of shadow.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

past form of “toil” — work hard

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Up and up, always a little higher up, the horses toiled with the house-wagon, as the road rose into the mountains.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading From the interior of the wagon came the sound of voices, mingled now and then with a complaining note, or an exclamation of pain.

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

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

a Caucasian

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A small brown house on wheels crept slowly along this sunny way, drawn by a queer, ill-matched team of three--a plump white horse with long, silky mane and tail, a large spotted horse with fierce eyes and nostrils, and a lean, little brown pony, with strangely twisted neck.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading ALONG THE WHITE ROAD THE July sunshine lay hot and golden over the fields of wheat on the Italian hillsides, and the deep shade of the chestnut woods along the road was more inviting than the white glare beyond.