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 It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

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

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

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

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

for the reason that

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

a workplace consisting of a coal mine plus all the buildings and equipment connected with it

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading It was crowded now with the family and the wedding guests.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

a social unit living together

From this reading It was crowded now with the family and the wedding guests.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

brought together in one place

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading It was crowded now with the family and the wedding guests.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

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

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

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

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

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

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

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 It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

the mansion of a lord or wealthy person

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It was crowded now with the family and the wedding guests.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

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

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

living in or characteristic of farming or country life

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

with success; in a successful manner

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

the upper part of anything

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.

precisely as stated

From this reading Nevertheless, the scene was rural and picturesque, very peaceful, and the house had a charm of its own.

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

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading It was crowded now with the family and the wedding guests.

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

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The Brangwens went home to Beldover, the wedding-party gathered at Shortlands, the Criches’ home.

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

From this reading It was a long, low old house, a sort of manor farm, that spread along the top of a slope just beyond the narrow little lake of Willey Water.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was crowded now with the family and the wedding guests.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading Shortlands looked across a sloping meadow that might be a park, because of the large, solitary trees that stood here and there, across the water of the narrow lake, at the wooded hill that successfully hid the colliery valley beyond, but did not quite hide the rising smoke.