Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

later than; following

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

(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 Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

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

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

plural of “aster” — any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus Aster with showy daisylike flowers

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

of short duration or distance

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

lacking funds

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

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

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

assets available for use in the production of further assets

From this reading ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL.

the state of being certain

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

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

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

comparative of “harsh” — unpleasantly stern

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

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

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

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

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

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

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

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

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

without mercy or pity

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

especially fine or decorative clothing

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

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

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

yellowwood tree with brittle wood and aromatic leaves and bark; source of sassafras oil; widely distributed in eastern North America

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading For a brief season Indian summer came to re-illumine the despairing days, and the larches, set aflame by her hand, flashed like lights.

-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

with low volume

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading From early summer to late autumn, from assurance of bloom to certainty of frost, is but a step--the step between life and death.

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

From this reading ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

past form of “tinge” — affect as in thought or feeling

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

past form of “tint” — color lightly

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

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

From this reading ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

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

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

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

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The murmuring leaves and waters on the shores of Kempenfeldt Bay had learned a louder and harsher melody--the wild wind-prophecy of winter.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Then through the softly tinted wood broke the Autumn brightness upon delicate shimmering birch trees, red sumachs, purple tinged sassafras, golden rod and asters; but now the oaks and beeches had changed their velvet green raiment to dull brown, and all the wild woods, after the pitiless and well-nigh perpetual rains of Fall, were stricken and discoloured.