Chapter I

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

completely enveloping

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

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

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

in coarse pieces

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

apart from; not including

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

any material that fills a space or container

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

tastelessly showy

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

plural of “georgian” — a native or resident of the American state of Georgia

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

make sense of; assign a meaning to

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

past form of “intersperse” — place at intervals in or among

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

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

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

not any; not one

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

out of fashion

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

make a painting

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

being or affecting only a part; not total

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

past form of “paw” — scrape with the paws

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

plural of “residence” — any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

the season of growth

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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

From this reading Author of “Gilbert Neal” “Abner Daniel” “The Georgians” “Ann Boyd” etc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

push forcefully

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

in the direction of

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

allowing light to pass through diffusely

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading It was a Sunday morning, and the smile of a balmy spring day lay over every visible object, filling the ambient air with a translucent message that no human mind could interpret.

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

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading It was as though an infinite God were speaking to eyes and ears too coarsely fashioned to fully see and hear.

in or at the place that

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

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

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

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 |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Immediately in front was a common fairly well covered with grass and weeds, except at the pawed and beaten spot where the public hitched its riding-horses, and beyond stood rows of old-fashioned residences of brick and stone, interspersed with a few modern frame cottages which, in gaudy paint, thrust themselves nearer the street than their more stately neighbors.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading |YOUNG Doctor Dearing sat in the little church at an open window through which he had a partial view of that portion of old Stafford which stretched out desultorily toward the east.