Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

(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 Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

in a state of sleep

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

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

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

divisible by two

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

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

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

experiencing or expressing gladness or joy

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

rock fragments and pebbles

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

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

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

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

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

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

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

temporary military shelter

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

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

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

inflected form of “lop” — cut off from a whole

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

an area where a number of shrubs are planted

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

not in physical motion

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

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 He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

past form of “trundle” — move heavily

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

(of silk fabric) having a wavelike pattern

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

past form of “weed” — clear of weeds

From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.

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

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

a cart for carrying small loads; has handles and one or more wheels

From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.

at the time that

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

during the time that

From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.

which person or people

From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

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

From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.