Chapter VI · Early Glimpses of the Gypsies

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

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

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

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

the Latin name for England

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

one of the major dialects of Old English

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

get temporarily

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

a youthful male person

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

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

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

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

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

only a very short time before

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

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

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

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

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

United States composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

used to form the superlative

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

a form of address for a man

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

third-person singular of “near” — move towards

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

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

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

past form of “surpass” — distinguish oneself

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

plural of “sympathy” — an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

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

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

interest and variety and intensity

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

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

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH an East Midlander by birth it seems to have been to East Anglia that Mr. Watts-Dunton’s sympathies were most strongly drawn.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading On the East Anglian side of St. Ives, opposite to the Hemingford side already described, the country, though not so lovely as the western side, is at first fairly attractive; but it becomes less and less so as it nears the Fens.

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

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was there that he first made acquaintance with the sea, and it was to East Anglia that his gypsy friends belonged.

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

From this reading The Fens, however, would seem to have a charm of their own, and Mr. Watts-Dunton himself has described them with a vividness that could hardly be surpassed.

a late time of life

From this reading It was here as a boy that he made friends with the Gryengroes—that superior variety of the Romanies which Borrow had known years before.