Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

(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 Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

make calm or still

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

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

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

make or cause to be or to become

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

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

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

the area in which something exists or lives

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

divisible by two

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

inflected form of “fan” — strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

plural of “fountain” — a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

coins made of gold

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

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

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

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

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

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

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

any entry into an area not previously occupied

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

lacking zest or vivacity

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

reduced to liquid form by heating

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

used to form the superlative

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

a port and tourist center in southwestern Italy; capital of the Campania region

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

a native or inhabitant of Naples

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

above and across; more than

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

have some of the qualities or attributes of something

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

snacks and drinks served as a light meal

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

get by special effort

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

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

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

confined on all sides

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

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

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There had been a great heat during the day, even for the sunny shore of Naples.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

precisely as stated

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading Even the sea was calm—the very waves lashed the shore lazily, and appeared to partake of the general weariness that came over all nature—all things that moved.

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

From this reading There was no soul stirring in the villas that were seen dotted about the environs of Naples, most of them like palaces, surrounded on every side by gardens and fountains, walled in, and secure from the intrusion of a stranger.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading THE MURDER IN THE WOOD DEL NOTTI.—A NEAPOLITAN SCENE.

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

From this reading Not a cloud had been seen all day, not a breath of air had been stirring; all was golden sunshine—all was fair; the very sea glittered like molten gold, and the heat was oppressive in the extreme—so much so that even the Neapolitans themselves stirred not out of doors, but sank listless and sleepy on the couch, fanning themselves, and endeavouring to create an air that would give some slight refreshment.