used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
betimesadverb
in good time
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
of short duration or distance
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
dressing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
ensuingadjectiveUS /ˈensuːɪŋ/
following immediately and as a result of what went before
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
a movement into or inward
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
espied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young lady espied me immediately.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
divisible by two
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
foregroundnounUS /ˈfɔːrɡraʊnd/
the part of a scene that is near the viewer
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
HappiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/
superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
horsebacknounUS /ˈhɔːrsbæk/
the back of a horse
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The young lady espied me immediately.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
leaflessadjectiveUS /ˈliːfləs/
having no leaves
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
lodge-gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The young lady espied me immediately.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
Newcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
not any; not one
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
parleynounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
a light shade of red
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
with speed
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
move upward
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
cut with a saw
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
ShortestadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtɪst/
superlative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
not in physical motion
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
precisely as stated
From this reading As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up to the house.
someone who visits
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This early visitor was no other than Miss Ethel Newcome.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were still pink with sunrise.
but in spite of that
From this reading The grey had not even left the west yet, and I could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young lady espied me immediately.
