Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

(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 “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

completely happy and contented

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

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

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)

From this reading It was a very deep well, and the curb was of rough, undressed stones.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It was a very deep well, and the curb was of rough, undressed stones.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

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

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

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

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

and nothing more

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

having no leaves

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

and nothing more

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

above and across; more than

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

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

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading It was a very deep well, and the curb was of rough, undressed stones.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

protected from danger or bad weather

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

hit with a missile from a weapon

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading It was a very deep well, and the curb was of rough, undressed stones.

plural of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

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 Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

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

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

of lumber or stone or hides; not finished or dressed

From this reading It was a very deep well, and the curb was of rough, undressed stones.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a very deep well, and the curb was of rough, undressed stones.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We hurried over to it, treading on the spears of mint that were beginning to shoot up about it.

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

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

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

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

a Caucasian

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “It’s all just as father described it,” said Felix with a blissful sigh, “and there’s the well with the Chinese roof.”

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

having a fluffy character or appearance

From this reading Outside of the orchard the grass was only beginning to grow green; but here, sheltered by the spruce hedges from uncertain winds and sloping to southern suns, it was already like a wonderful velvet carpet; the leaves on the trees were beginning to come out in woolly, grayish clusters; and there were purple-pencilled white violets at the base of the Pulpit Stone.

but in spite of that

From this reading Over it, the queer, pagoda-like roof, built by Uncle Stephen on his return from a voyage to China, was covered with yet leafless vines.