Chapter II

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

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

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

replying

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

lacking or showing a lack of due concern

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

produce or yield flowers

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But what a pother I make!

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

plural of “chestnut” — wood of any of various chestnut trees of the genus Castanea

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

having a loud resonant metallic sound

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

a loud harsh or strident noise

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

a boy or man

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

ten 10s

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

plural of “islet” — a small island

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

plural of “lamb” — young sheep

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

engage in

From this reading But what a pother I make!

low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

plural of “odour” — the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

make upset or troubled

From this reading But what a pother I make!

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

toned down

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

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

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

the season of growth

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

a tenth part; one part in ten equal parts

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

a special situation

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

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

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

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 hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-six and one

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

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

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The laburnums and lilacs and hawthorn and the foreign chestnuts (in blossom for the first time at Temple Belwood that year) were full of bloom.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But what a pother I make!

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

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading The hen-pheasants were whistling to their new-hatched broods; the fresh-shorn sheep were answering the bleating of their lambs; trees and bushes rang with the melody of small birds, and from the holms and islets of marsh and mere came a din of quacking, clanging, and chattering water-fowl, which distance mingled and softened into music.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For one thing, the day was the finest of an early season, the air sweet with spring odours and glad with pleasant sounds.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading On the tenth of May in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-seven, I rode from Temple Belwood to Crowle, as blithe and merry as any young fellow in the world.