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Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter XXXIV · Oak’s Advancement—a Great Hope

Oak’s Advancement—a Great Hope, section 1: The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods. Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.
Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.
While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.
She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.
She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter XXXIV · Oak’s Advancement—a Great Hope

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.
Line 2
Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.
Line 3
While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.
Line 4
She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.
Line 5
She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.”

Equanimity noun US /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.”

Hers pronoun US /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Keenly adverb US /ˈkiːnli/

with sharp attention or strong interest

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.”

All words in this reading · 114

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

alive

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

apace

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

autumn

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

back

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

Bathsheba

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

believed

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

bygone

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

caring

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

days

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

death

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

expended

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

faculty

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

farm

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

gentlefolk

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

gift

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

glades

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

going

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

gone

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

gulf

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

herspronounUS /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

infinitely

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/

with sharp attention or strong interest

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

kept

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

known

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

later

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

lay

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

leaves

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

like

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

lived

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

living

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

lost

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

means

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

meditation

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

money

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

mood

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

mosses

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

mouldering

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

now

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

past

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

peacefulness

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

person

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

poet's

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From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

ponder

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

precisely

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From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

present

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From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

previously

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

profits

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

quietude

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

raked

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From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

regretted

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From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

removed

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From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

sit

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

state

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

story

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

suspended

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

suspense

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

thick

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

turf

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

used

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

ventures

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

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She looked back upon that past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person, having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the poet’s story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life used to be.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Bathsheba, having previously been living in a state of suspended feeling which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of quietude which was not precisely peacefulness.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

winter

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading While she had known him to be alive she could have thought of his death with equanimity; but now that she believed she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers still.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading She kept the farm going, raked in her profits without caring keenly about them, and expended money on ventures because she had done so in bygone days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely removed from her present.

woods

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

From this reading The later autumn and the winter drew on apace, and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades and the mosses of the woods.