Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

in actual fact

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

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

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

(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, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

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

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a small house with a single story

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

(of time) having passed or slipped by

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

divisible by two

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

inflected form of “foretell” — foreshadow or presage

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

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

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

a small natural hill

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

plural of “happening” — an event that happens

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

in an idle manner

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

linked or locked closely together as by dovetailing

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

a relaxed comfortable feeling

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

immediately past

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

darkened by clouds

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

engage in

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

not any; not one

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

on one occasion

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

a musical composition that has been completed or enriched by someone other than the composer

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

a safe place

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

-ing form of “review” — look at again; examine again

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

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

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

sexually exciting or gratifying

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a violent commotion or disturbance

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The realisation that actually no more than a month had elapsed since her arrival at Silverquay amazed her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

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

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

move fast, noisily, and heavily

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

a storm resulting from strong rising air currents; heavy rain or hail along with thunder and lightning

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

up to a particular time

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

impressive by reason of age

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

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

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

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

From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE August had come in on a wave of such breathless heat that each day the weather-wise foretold a thunderstorm.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.

at the time that

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

in or at the place that

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

belonging to which person

From this reading The pleasantest spot in the vicinity of Oldstone Cottage was undoubtedly a certain corner of the garden where stood a venerable oak whose interlacing branches spread themselves into a cool green canopy, and here, in a hammock slung from one great limb of the tree to another, Ann had taken refuge.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

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

From this reading But, although the heavy, sultry air and lowering skies seemed pregnant with impending tempest, with every evening would come a clearer atmosphere and all signs of thunder disappear until the following day, when the stifling heat closed down once more like an invisible pall.

inclined to yield to argument or influence or control

From this reading A book lay open on her knee, but, yielding to the languor induced by the oppressive heat, she had ceased to make even a pretence at reading and leaned back in the hammock, hands clasped behind her head, idly reviewing the happenings of the last few weeks.