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 At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

(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 But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

at or in or to any place

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

completely unclothed

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

a county in southern England

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

offering little or no hope

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

with brightness

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

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

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

to an extreme degree

From this reading How exceedingly pleasant!

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

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

a quick look

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

only a very short time before

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading How exceedingly pleasant!

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

past form of “intermingle” — combine into one

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

a coniferous tree

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading How exceedingly pleasant!

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

by chance

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

done with very great haste and without due deliberation

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

cut with a saw

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

past form of “scratch” — cause friction

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

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

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

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

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

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

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

an extended area of land

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

except if; if not

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

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

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

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

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I cannot possibly imagine.

at the time that

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.

during the time that

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

a Caucasian

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

plural of “windowpane” — a pane of glass in a window

From this reading The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But, while waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that--unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest--all nature was as white as a sheet.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen anywhere in the world.