Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

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

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

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

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

rid of obstructions

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading What has a little mouse to do with a Maypole dance?

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading What has a little mouse to do with a Maypole dance?

past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

at any time

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

pleasant-smelling

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading What has a little mouse to do with a Maypole dance?

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

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

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

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

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

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

From this reading What has a little mouse to do with a Maypole dance?

the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

a vertical pole or post decorated with streamers that can be held by dancers celebrating May Day

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

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

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

the light of the Moon

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading What has a little mouse to do with a Maypole dance?

plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

not any; not one

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

be or do something to a greater degree

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

transport commercially

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

plural of “swan” — stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

the act of swimming

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

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

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

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

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading They were as merry as ever at sunset and in the moonlight, but I took no part in the merry-making.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

plural of “violin” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading Lads and lasses danced round the pole, and tried to outdo the violins of the musicians with their singing.

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What has a little mouse to do with a Maypole dance?

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

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

a Caucasian

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes

From this reading On the margin of the wood, near to three or four houses, a pole, as large as the mainmast of a ship, had been erected, and from the summit hung wreaths of flowers and fluttering ribbons; it was the Maypole.

but in spite of that

From this reading "It was the height of summer, which the mice told me was the reason that the forest smelt so strong, and that the herbs were so fragrant, and the lakes with the white swimming swans so dark, and yet so clear.