Chapter II · The Message

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

the right to enter

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

later than; following

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

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

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

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

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

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

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

not accessible to view

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

in a confused manner

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

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

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

of or relating to or resembling the Cyclops

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

a county in southwestern England

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

one or the other of two

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

divisible by two

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

capable of reproducing

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

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

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

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

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

cut or shaped with hard blows of a heavy cutting instrument like an ax or chisel

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

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

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

situated away from an area's coast or border

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

a female domestic

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

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

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

above and across; more than

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

covered with growing plants

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

past form of “prattle” — speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

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

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

located far away spatially

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

hidden from general view or use

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

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

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

inflected form of “span” — to cover or extend over an area or time period

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading A broad stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

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

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

very small

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

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

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

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

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.

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

From this reading Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden.

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

From this reading "The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile hills.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

any flowering vine of the genus Wisteria

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages.