used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
having companions or an escort
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
anonadverbUS /ˌæˈnɔːn/
at another time
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
athwartadverbUS /əˈθwɔːrt/
at right angles to the center line of a ship
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
casementnoun
a window sash that is hinged (usually on one side)
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
deafeningadjectiveUS /ˈdefənɪŋ/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
downpoursnounUS /ˈdaʊnpɔːrz/
plural of “downpour” — a heavy rain
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
elmnounUS /elm/
any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
at any time
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
flashesnounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
foundationsnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
gorse-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
heathnounUS /hiːθ/
a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
IntrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
peals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
pierceverbUS /pɪrs/
cut or make a way through
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
participate in games or sport
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
uttered with a trill
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
that is looked for
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
south-westerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
successive (without a break)
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
possessing sweep
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
thatchnounUS /θætʃ/
hair resembling thatched roofing material
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
uprootedverbUS /əˈpruːtɪd/
past form of “uproot” — move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading So fierce was the wind that the branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling expanse of gorse-clad heath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A Midnight Intruder Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought with it an unwelcome change in the weather.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A south-westerly gale, blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness of the night.
