Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

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

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

of or pertaining to the art and science of architecture

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

a sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

unpleasantly cool and humid

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

inflected form of “dim” — switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

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

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

-ing form of “distort” — make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

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

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

past form of “engender” — call forth

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

past form of “exhale” — expel air

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

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

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

in a gradual manner

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

plural of “graveyard” — a tract of land used for burials

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

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

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

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

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

the act of tarrying

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

become covered with mist

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

slightly wet

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

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

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

-ing form of “muffle” — suppress in order to conceal or hide

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

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

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

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

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

out of fashion

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

a sudden and severe onset of trouble

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

preceding and preparing for something

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

plural of “rut” — a groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels)

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

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

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

express in speech

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

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

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

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

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading There was something ominous in the strange atmosphere thus engendered, in the dimming and distorting of architectural lines, in the muffling of familiar sounds.

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

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

of the highest quality

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

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

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

without beauty or charm

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

up to a particular time

From this reading People moved about in a dank haze, that rose gradually to the tops of the houses, until by noontime it had obscured the moist blue sky and turned the sun into a dull-red disk set in a golden aura.

detrimental to physical or moral well-being

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

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

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

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

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The sun seemed to draw up in the form of mist more and more of the water that had been soaking into the soil.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading "TWO SISTER VESSELS" The January thaw now took on a sinister and unwholesome phase, preparatory to its final retreat before the onslaught of returning winter.

plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes

From this reading The heavy snowfall was reduced to a few discoloured streaks lingering in the deeper ruts and hollows, and the brown earth, never so unlovely, exhaled faint wreaths of vapour that caused old-fashioned folk to shake their heads and to speak of full graveyards.