used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
amendedadjectiveUS /əˈmendɪd/
of legislation
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
a youthful male person
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
Brion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
put or send forth
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
ChaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
cheeriness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
denizensnounUS /ˈdenəzənz/
plural of “denizen” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
emptinessnounUS /ˈemptinəs/
the state of containing nothing
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
at any time
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
brought together in one place
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
homelinessnoun
having a drab or dowdy quality; lacking stylishness or elegance
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
a particular point in time
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
on one occasion
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
the local environment
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
patchworknounUS /ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
prologuenounUS /ˈproʊlɑːɡ/
an introduction to a play
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
reclaimedadjectiveUS /riˈkleɪmd/
delivered from danger
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
transformationnounUS /ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃən/
a qualitative change
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
unfurnishedadjective
not equipped with what is needed especially furniture
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So the parts were cast, and the new life begun in earnest.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was over was prologue; the real business of the house dated from this moment.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At first the boy was restless under this transformation of surroundings which, however dreary, had been associated with some sweet times.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading Not that on slender means it was to be reclaimed to the prosperity it had once enjoyed; it was ever in Brion’s time a thin estate, a half vacant building; but at least the worst of its desolation was amended to a plausible patchwork, and the cheeriness and devotion of its denizens made up in volume for the emptiness that echoed them in unfurnished rooms.
a late time of life
From this reading Its members fell into their places; the weeds were gathered from the Court; the giant in short time, putting his great back into the job, brought order out of Chaos in the garden, and the whole place began to assume an aspect of more homeliness than it had shown for years.
