Chapter I

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

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

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

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

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

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

a youthful male person

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

plural of “carving” — a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

plural of “chrysanthemum” — the flower of a chrysanthemum plant

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

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

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

material used to daub walls

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

become smaller or lose substance

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

the overhang at the lower edge of a roof

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

plural of “handicraft” — a work produced by hand labor

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

comparative of “humble” — low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

ten 10s

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

in a currish manner; meanspiritedly

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

impressive in appearance

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

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

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

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

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

march in a procession

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

past form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

the principal law-enforcement officer in a county

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

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

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

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

From this reading The court-house is ornate and imposing, although a hundred active chimneys daub its eaves and carvings, but the jail is as plain as a sledge-hammer.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

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

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

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

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

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

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

look attentively

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

during the time that

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

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

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Sheriff Wickliff leaned out of his office window, the better to watch the boy soldiers march down the street.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

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

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading Above the jail the street is a pretty street, with trim cottages and lawns and gardens; below, the sky-lines dwindle ignobly into shabby one and two story wooden shops devoted to the humbler handicrafts.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The huge pile of stone that is the presumed home of Justice for the county stands in the same yard with the old yellow stone jail.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet during Sheriff Wickliff’s administration, while Joe Raker kept jail and Mrs. Raker was matron, window-gardens brightened the grim walls all summer, and chrysanthemums and roses blazoned the black bars in winter.