Chapter I

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

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

(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 All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

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

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

completely unclothed

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

unpleasantly cool and humid

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

the quality of being unresponsive; not reacting; as a quality of people, it is marked by a failure to respond quickly or with emotion to people or events

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

the process of gradually becoming inferior

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

fall in drops

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

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

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

in a gradual manner

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

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

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

immediately past

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

darkened with overcast

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

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 The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

-ing form of “note” — make mention of

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

according to the clock

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

above and across; more than

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

having a hole cut through

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

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

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

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

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

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

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

wet through and through; thoroughly wet

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

the season of growth

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

resembling steel as in hardness

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

move an implement through

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

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

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

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

From this reading Three o'clock on a dank afternoon, early in November.

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

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

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

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

a Caucasian

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The great trees in Shenstone Park stood gaunt and bare, spreading wide arms over the sodden grass.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading All nature seemed waiting the first fall of winter's snow, which should hide its deadness and decay under a lovely pall of sparkling white, beneath which a promise of fresh life to come might gently move and stir; and, eventually, spring forth.

characteristic of or occurring in winter

From this reading The wintry sunshine, in fitful gleams, pierced the greyness of the leaden sky.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading The Mistress of Shenstone moved slowly up and down the terrace, wrapped in her long cloak, listening to the soft "drip, drip" of autumn all around; noting the silent fall of the last dead leaves; the steely grey of the lake beyond; the empty flower-garden; the deserted lawn.