Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

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

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

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

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Spring had entered the Black Forest a few weeks before.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Spring had entered the Black Forest a few weeks before.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

befitting or characteristic of a young boy

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

in a delicate manner

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

comparative of “dense” — permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Spring had entered the Black Forest a few weeks before.

an item inserted in a written record

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Spring had entered the Black Forest a few weeks before.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

and nothing more

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

the sound of laughing

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

with relatively high volume

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

the common people generally

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

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

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

and nothing more

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

above and across; more than

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

a coniferous tree

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

plural of “portal” — a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

past form of “soar” — rise rapidly

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

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

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

the season of growth

From this reading Spring had entered the Black Forest a few weeks before.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

not in physical motion

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

sexually exciting or gratifying

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

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

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

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

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

of the highest quality

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

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

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

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

From this reading The sun was still some distance above the horizon, but the valley was so narrow that the day star had disappeared, before making its majestic entry into the portals of night.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

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

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.

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

From this reading Spring had entered the Black Forest a few weeks before.

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

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

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

From this reading Hitherto silence had reigned under the boughs of the pines and tops of the beeches, but now a wood-pigeon joined in the lad's laugh, and a jay, startled by the clapping of hands, spread its brown wings, delicately flecked with blue, and soared from one pine to another.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading "A word, only a word!" cried a fresh, boyish voice, then two hands were loudly clapped and a gay laugh echoed through the forest.

but in spite of that

From this reading May was just over, yet the weather was as sultry as in midsummer and clouds were gathering in denser and denser masses.