Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

plural of “add” — a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am quoting Sandford.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

in an audacious manner

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

of a dark to moderate greyish green color

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

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

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

take exception to

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

slate-black slow-flying birds somewhat resembling ducks

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

plural of “decoy” — a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

mark as different

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

plural of “epicure” — a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

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

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

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

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

the direction in which the wind is blowing

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

of or befitting a lord

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

having an unusually loud voice

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

wild dabbling duck from which domestic ducks are descended; widely distributed

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

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

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

a small contrasting part of something

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

by chance

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

-ing form of “quote” — repeat a passage from

From this reading I am quoting Sandford.

plural of “rush” — the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading I am quoting Sandford.

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

with low volume

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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

From this reading "Now this is something like sport," adds my companion, settling back comfortably in the slough-grass blind, built high to the north to cut out the wind, and low to the south to let in the sun.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

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

From this reading "To poets and epicures, perhaps, the lordly canvas-back--though brown from the oven, I challenge the supercilious _gourmet_ to distinguish between his favorite, and a fat American coot.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

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 Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

in or at the place that

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

the direction from which the wind is coming

From this reading Be that as it may, we are there, amid frost-browned rushes that rustle softly in the wind: a patch of shallow open water, perhaps an acre in extent, to the leeward of us, where the decoys, heading all to windward, bob gently with the slight swell.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But for me the loud-voiced mallard, with his bottle-green head and audaciously curling tail; for he will decoy."