Chapter VIII · The Riot of Christmas

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

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

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

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

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

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

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

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

rid of obstructions

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

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

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

unpleasantly cool and humid

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

dearly loved

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

not still wet

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

divisible by two

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

destroyed or killed

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

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

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

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

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

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

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

within a building

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

immediately past

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

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

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

for more time

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

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

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

not any; not one

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

inflected form of “petrify” — cause to become stonelike or stiff or dazed and stunned from fright

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

inflected form of “rebel” — take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

any shrub of the genus Rhododendron: evergreen shrubs or small shrubby trees having leathery leaves and showy clusters of campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

having a rim or a rim of a specified kind

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

covered with beads or jewels or sequins

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

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

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

On the present night.

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

decoration consisting of an open pattern of interlacing ribs

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

given a completely different form or appearance

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

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

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

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

From this reading For some weeks, during the latter part of November and the beginning of December, I was kept indoors by a cold.

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

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

at the time that

From this reading When the night came clear and bright, with a moon among the hoar-frost, I rebelled against confinement, and the house.

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

From this reading At last came a frost which cleared the air and dried the mud.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

in the company of; together with

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

land that is covered with trees and shrubs

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading No longer the mists and dank weather made the home dear; tonight even the glare of the distant little iron works was not visible, for the low clouds were gone, and pale stars blinked from beyond the moon.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading On the second Saturday before Christmas the world was transformed; tall, silver and pearl-grey trees rose pale against a dim-blue sky, like trees in some rare, pale Paradise; the whole woodland was as if petrified in marble and silver and snow; the holly-leaves and long leaves of the rhododendron were rimmed and spangled with delicate tracery.