Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

unequivocally detestable

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

(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 A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

shockingly brutal or cruel

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

have or possess in combination

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

slightly wet

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

in grief-stricken loneliness; without comforting circumstances or prospects

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading We oughtn't to have to go to school when it rains."

destroyed or killed

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

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

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We oughtn't to have to go to school when it rains."

to a considerable degree

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

in a hopeless manner

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

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

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

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

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

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

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading We oughtn't to have to go to school when it rains."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

soft food made by boiling oatmeal or other meal or legumes in water or milk until thick

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

flowing profusely

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

falling in drops or as if falling like rain

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading We oughtn't to have to go to school when it rains."

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

put in the mind of someone

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

an educational institution

From this reading We oughtn't to have to go to school when it rains."

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

wet through and through; thoroughly wet

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a sister who has only one parent in common with you

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It had been raining heavily all night, and it was pouring hard when Nellie placed the coffee pot and the porridge on the table and rang the breakfast bell.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a vagrant

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

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 A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

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

From this reading "It's sheer cruelty to be expected to turn out and tramp two miles through the mud.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

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

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We oughtn't to have to go to school when it rains."

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

at the time that

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading "It's an atrocious, abominable morning!" grunted Gwen, peering disconsolately through the window into the damp garden.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A False Step The morning following Gwen's promotion to the Fifth Form was wet, one of those hopelessly wet October days when the grey sky and the dripping trees and the sodden grass and the draggled flowers all seem to combine to remind us that summer, lovely, gracious summer, has gone with the swallows and left her fickle stepsister autumn in her stead.