Chapter XI

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

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

in the past

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

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

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

having had the head cut off

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

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

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

any of various ornamental climbing plants of the genus Clematis usually having showy flowers

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

a small house with a single story

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

high status importance owing to marked superiority

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

an old word for “before”

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

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

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

a social unit living together

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

past form of “front” — be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

in a gradual manner

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

temporary military shelter

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

a climbing deciduous shrub with fragrant white or yellow or red flowers used in perfume and to flavor tea

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

impressive in appearance

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

and nothing more

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

the ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

past form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

any competition

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

not used up

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

be seated

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

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

From this reading His abode was a small cottage situated in the midst of a little garden, and overshadowed by the majestic ruins of his ancestral castle.

toned down

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

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

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

in or at that place or location

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a crime that undermines the offender's government

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

up to a particular time

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

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

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

look attentively

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

(of silk fabric) having a wavelike pattern

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

belonging to which person

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The eminence on which his cottage was built formed one side of a wide valley, watered by a stream whose hoarse voice was softened into a gentle murmur ere it reached the summit of a hill.

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

From this reading The porch of his hut, adorned by the twisting clematis and jessamine, fronted the rising sun, and here in the cool summer mornings he would often sit and watch its broad orb slowly appearing above the blue distant mountains.

produce a literary work

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a late time of life

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He came of an ancient and noble race: but one of his ancestors having been beheaded in consequence of a suspicion of high treason, the family since that time had gradually decayed, until at length the only remaining branch of it was this young man of whom I write.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading MANY years ago there lived in a certain country a youth named Ernest Alembert.