used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
BradleynounUS /ˈbrædli/
United States politician who was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles (1917-1998)
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading To its right was a chimney stack from which a lazy feather of smoke was drifting.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
downsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading To its right was a chimney stack from which a lazy feather of smoke was drifting.
encirclingadjectiveUS /enˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
at any time
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
facadenounUS /fəˈsɑːd/
the face or front of a building
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading To its right was a chimney stack from which a lazy feather of smoke was drifting.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
furthermostadjective
(comparatives of “far”) most remote in space or time or order
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
garbnounUS /ɡɑːrb/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a man of refinement
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a quick look
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
not accessible to view
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
industrialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəl/
of or relating to or resulting from industry
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading To its right was a chimney stack from which a lazy feather of smoke was drifting.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
the literary culture
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
not any; not one
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
overcastnounUS /ˈoʊvərkæst/
the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
pleasure-seekers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
Poltavo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
precisely, exactly
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
uttered with a trill
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
make square
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
stacknounUS /stæk/
an orderly pile
From this reading To its right was a chimney stack from which a lazy feather of smoke was drifting.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
tweeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading To his right he caught a glimpse of the square ugly facade of the Secret House, half hidden by the encircling trees.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
veiledadjectiveUS /veɪld/
having or as if having a veil or concealing cover
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was three days after the exchange of letters that Count Poltavo, in the rough tweeds of a country gentleman--a garb which hardly suited his figure or presence--strolled carelessly across the downs, making his way to their highest point, a great rolling slope, from the crest of which a man could see half a dozen miles in every direction.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To his left, half hidden in the furthermost shelter of the downs, veiled as it was for ever under a haze of blue grey smoke, lay Great Bradley, with its chimneys and its busy industrial life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The sky was overcast and a chill wind blew; it was such a day upon which he might be certain no pleasure-seekers would be abroad.
