used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
(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 In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
rid of obstructions
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
cypresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
hall-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
hemmedverbUS /hemd/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
perpendicularlyadverb
straight up or down without a break
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
ravedverbUS /reɪvd/
past form of “rave” — participate in an all-night techno dance party
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
the rays of the sun
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
the upper part of anything
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
having come into contact
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
