Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

(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 It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading —Amélie Rives.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

click repeatedly or uncontrollably

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

expandable metal or wooden wedge used by printers to lock up a form within a chase

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

a lawyer who pleads cases in court

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

someone who is a detective

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

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

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

conformity or harmony

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

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 Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

the literary culture

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

plural of “margin” — the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

third-person singular of “rive” — tear or be torn violently

From this reading —Amélie Rives.

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

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

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

in or at that place or location

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

develop or come to a promising stage

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

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

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

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

From this reading The events of the afternoon filled her mind, and she was not sorry to be alone.

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

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

during the time that

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Judge and Mrs. Claiborne were dining with some old friends in the valley, and Shirley, left alone, carried to the table several letters that had come in the late mail.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading It occurred to her that she was building up a formidable tower of strange secrets, and she wondered whether, having begun by keeping her own counsel as to the attempts she had witnessed against John Armitage’s life, she ought now to unfold all she knew to her father or to Dick.

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

From this reading NARROW MARGINS The black-caps pipe among the reeds, And there’ll be rain to follow; There is a murmur as of wind In every coign and hollow; The wrens do chatter of their fears While swinging on the barley-ears.