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 Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

in the past

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

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

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

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

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

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

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

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

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

being joined in close association

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

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

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

plural of “date” — the specified day of the month

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

divisible by two

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

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

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

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

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

belonging to a thing by its very nature

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

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

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

not any; not one

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

and nothing more

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

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

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

on the contrary

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

in the recent past

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

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

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

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

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

past form of “surmise” — infer from incomplete evidence

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

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

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The dates attached to some of the poems do not apply to the rough sketches given in illustration, which have been recently made, and, as may be surmised, are inserted for personal and local reasons rather than for their intrinsic qualities.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

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

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

not anticipated

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

the act of using

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

literature in metrical form

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form

From this reading In some few cases the verses were turned into prose and printed as such, it having been unanticipated at that time that they might see the light.

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

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

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

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

in or at the place that

From this reading The pieces are in a large degree dramatic or personative in conception; and this even where they are not obviously so.

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

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Whenever an ancient and legitimate word of the district, for which there was no equivalent in received English, suggested itself as the most natural, nearest, and often only expression of a thought, it has been made use of, on what seemed good grounds.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading PREFACE TO WESSEX POEMS OF the miscellaneous collection of verse that follows, only four pieces have been published, though many were written long ago, and other partly written.