Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

in actual fact

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

(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 The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

any person at all

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

plural of “avenue” — a line of approach

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

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

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

king of Denmark and Norway who forced Edmund II to divide England with him; on the death of Edmund II, Canute became king of all England (994-1035)

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

plural of “century” — a period of 100 years

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

a small house with a single story

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

-ing form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

one or the other of two

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

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

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

plural of “horde” — a vast multitude

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

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

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

situated away from an area's coast or border

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

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

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

badly or hastily built

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

and nothing more

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

largest city in New Hampshire; located in southeastern New Hampshire on the Merrimack river

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

plural of “miss” — a young female

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

past form of “nickname” — give a nickname to

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

not any; not one

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

on one occasion

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

a station in a remote or sparsely populated location

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

any of various Old World shrubs having smooth entire leaves and terminal panicles of small white flowers followed by small black berries; many used for hedges

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

on the contrary

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

so extremely intense as to evoke screams

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

in a serious manner

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

make square

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

be standing; be upright

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

confined on all sides

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

sweep across or over

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

carry out

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

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

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

in the direction of

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

not giving satisfaction

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

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

From this reading At the far end of Thorhaven towards the north was a little square house surrounded by a privet hedge.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

at the time that

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

which person or people

From this reading The ladies who lived at the Cottage had once been nicknamed the Misses Canute--which showed how plainly all this could be seen, as a sort of symbol, by anyone in the least imaginative; though it was a rather unsatisfactory curate from Manchester who actually gave them the name.

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

From this reading Behind lay the flat fields under a wide sky just as they had lain for centuries, with the gulls screaming across them inland from the mud cliffs, and so the cottage formed a sort of outpost, facing alone the hordes of jerry-built houses which threatened to sweep on and surround it.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading No one felt surprised when he afterwards offended his bishop and went into the motor business, for he suffered from that constitutional ability to take people as seriously as they wished to be taken, which is so bad for any career.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.

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

From this reading It had a green door under a sort of wooden canopy with two flat windows on either side, and seemed to stand there defying the rows and rows of terraces, avenues and meanish semi-detached villas which were creeping up to it.