Chapter XII

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

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

(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 No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

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

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

an area adjacent to farm buildings

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

-ing form of “low” — make a low noise, characteristic of bovines

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

a feeling of thoughtful sadness

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

a particular point in time

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

past form of “mourn” — feel sadness

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

not any; not one

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

and nothing more

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

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

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

having a supporting base

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

not in physical motion

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading A pale sun showed for a moment and glittered on their bayonets.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

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

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

in or at that place or location

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

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

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading And the horses; four great, heavy, patient-looking beasts they were there too, and in the lower field the sheep were standing, as if they waited to be fed.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

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

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

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

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading No wind stirred in the hanging woods that were dark all about the ancient house of Treff Loyne; the only sound in the dim air was the lowing of the cattle; they had wandered, it seemed, from the fields and had come in by the gate of the farmyard and stood there melancholy, as if they mourned for their dead master.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

intense anger (usually on an epic scale)

From this reading The Letter of Wrath It was a still September afternoon.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You would think they all knew there was something wrong,” one of the soldiers muttered to another.