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 Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

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

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

divisible by two

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

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

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading They were pagan Saulteaux, by name Souwanas and Jakoos.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

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

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They were pagan Saulteaux, by name Souwanas and Jakoos.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

without a sound

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

a person who does not acknowledge your god

From this reading They were pagan Saulteaux, by name Souwanas and Jakoos.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

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

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

with speed

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

the fur of the North American racoon

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

an act of honor or courteous recognition

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

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

From this reading They were pagan Saulteaux, by name Souwanas and Jakoos.

deeply affected or marked by mental or physical pain or injury

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

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 The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

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

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

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

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

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

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

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

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

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

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

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

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

a person who has never had sex

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

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

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

in or at the place that

From this reading They paid not the slightest attention to the grown-up palefaces present, but in their ghostly way marched across the room to the corner where the two little children were playing on the floor.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

a Native American lodge frequently having an oval shape and covered with bark or hides

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without even knocking at the door there noiselessly entered our northern home two large, unhandsome Indians.

plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading The Children Carried Off by the Indians--The Feast in the Wigwam--Souwanas, the Story-teller--Nanahboozhoo, the Indian Myth--How the Wolves Stole His Dinner, and Why the Birch Tree Bark is Scarred--Why the Raccoon has Rings on His Tail.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Quickly but gently picking them up they swung them to their shoulders, and then, without a word of salutation or even a glance at the parents, they noiselessly passed out of that narrow door and disappeared in the virgin forest.