Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

third-person singular of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

From this reading FLAXEN ADOPTS ANSON AS "PAP."

later than; following

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

Having no one else present.

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

in an alternating sequence or position

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

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

From this reading FLAXEN ADOPTS ANSON AS "PAP."

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

From this reading FLAXEN ADOPTS ANSON AS "PAP."

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

the outer layer of the Earth

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading These were long days for the settlers.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

apart from; not including

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading FLAXEN ADOPTS ANSON AS "PAP."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

showing curiosity

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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 These were long days for the settlers.

used to form the superlative

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

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

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

above and across; more than

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

worthless or oversimplified ideas

From this reading FLAXEN ADOPTS ANSON AS "PAP."

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

past form of “rave” — participate in an all-night techno dance party

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

worried and uneasy

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

inflected form of “scurry” — to move about or proceed hurriedly

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country

From this reading These were long days for the settlers.

past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

past form of “sift” — move as if through a sieve

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

not in physical motion

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

measuring instrument for measuring temperature

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These were long days for the settlers.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

the time of life between 30 and 40

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

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

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.

during the time that

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

a Caucasian

From this reading Day after day the restless snow sifted or leaped across the waste of glittering crust; day after day the sun shone in dazzling splendor, but so white and cold that the thermometer still kept down among the thirties.

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

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading For nearly two weeks they waited, while the wind alternately raved and whispered over them as it scurried the snow south or east, or shifted to the south in the night, bringing "the north end of a south wind," the most intolerable and cutting of winds.

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading They were absolutely alone on the plain, except that now and then a desperate wolf or inquisitive owl came by.