Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

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

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

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

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

divisible by two

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

marked by distress

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

a person of German nationality

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

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

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

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

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

a narrow way or road

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

the act of departing

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

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

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

unpleasantly

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

an amount of time

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

on the contrary

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

memorization by repetition

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

in a serious manner

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

pour as if from a sluice

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

the season of growth

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading He rose by degrees from mere spelling to the study of a foreign language, German.

carry out

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

a just detectable amount

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

precisely as stated

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.

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

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In fact, little of what he learned appeared to touch his real life at all.

at the time that

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

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

From this reading Nor could he be made to take it very seriously, although, on the whole, he was counted a good pupil.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Three times fall and winter and spring were followed by that painfully delicious period of almost unbroken daylight, when the very books seemed to lose some of their magic, when even the air of the old lane became fraught with some mystic urge, and when life within stone walls turned into an unbearable burden.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He learned his Catechism by heart--or rather by rote, for the time-worn phrases dropped from his lips at demand very much as water runs down a mill sluice, without leaving any trace.