Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

(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 Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

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

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

for the reason that

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

dwell

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

a small inlet

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

plural of “gust” — a strong current of air

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

past form of “halt” — cause to stop

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

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

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

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

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading There seemed to be a swell setting into it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

held up in the air

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

a course of conduct

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

except for; apart from

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

cut with a saw

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

try to get or reach

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading There seemed to be a swell setting into it.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading There seemed to be a swell setting into it.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

the outline of objects seen against the sky

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading There seemed to be a swell setting into it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

from that place or that time

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There seemed to be a swell setting into it.

of or concerning this or that

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

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

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

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

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.

emit long loud cries

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

a Caucasian

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

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

From this reading But I heard nothing save the wail of the wind overhead as it rose in gusts.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now I halted before I lifted my head above the skyline, and listened with a fear on me lest I should hear the sound of running feet, and I was the more careful because I knew that the snow which lay white and deep on all the open land might deaden any sounds thereof.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I wondered if Thorgils would be able to bide in this little cove, or must needs put out to seek some other haven.

but in spite of that

From this reading So I crept yet farther up the path, crouching behind a point of rock, and thence I saw a dark line on the snow that seemed to promise a road, and that must surely lead to some house or village.