Chapter II

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

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

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

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

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

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

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

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

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

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading |DR.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

past form of “front” — be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

most important element

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

structure built of stone or brick by a mason

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

characteristic of a mother

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

held or filled or in use

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

out of fashion

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

coated with paint

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

the owner or manager of a plantation

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

used or designed for residence or limited to residences

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

make square

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

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

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

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

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

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

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

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

From this reading DEARING'S house was an old-fashioned structure built long before the Civil War.

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

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

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

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

a Caucasian

From this reading It had a colonial veranda with the usual tall, fluted columns, which were painted white and rested on square blocks of masonry.

which person or people

From this reading It had been the property of several generations of Dearings more or less distinguished in the history of the State, and since the death of the doctor's father, a prosperous merchant, slave-holder, and planter, it had been in the possession of the brother and sister, who, with an aged maternal uncle, General Sylvester, now occupied it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It fronted on the main residential street of the town, and was of red brick partly covered with clinging ivy.