used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
at or in or to any place
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
BRAHMANnounUS /ˈbrɑːmən/
a member of a social and cultural elite (especially a descendant of an old New England family)
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
characterized by great determination
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
the organ of sight
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
far-offadjective
very far away in space or time
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
depressingly dark
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
being perceived or observed
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
possessing material wealth
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
in or at or to some place
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
traversedverbUS /ˈtrævərst/
past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was now twilight; the fields were deserted, and not a peasant was to be seen anywhere on the far-off road.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A rich plain on which were fields and meadows and villages was before me, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
at the time that
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
in or at the place that
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BRAHMAN I really knew not what to do, and my reflections grew more and more gloomy, when I noticed that I had by degrees wandered out from the forest, which now lay behind me.
a Caucasian
From this reading A white road traversed this plain at some distance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I determined to reach this highway, however, for it certainly would lead me somewhere--probably to some city where I might be received.
