Chapter XX

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

acted upon; influenced

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

(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 But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

the act of burning something

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

seemingly without interruption

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

heighten or intensify

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

divisible by two

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

moving swiftly

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

tastelessly showy

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

usually; as a rule

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

marked by casual disrespect

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

hot or warm and humid

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

a feeling of being oppressed

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

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

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

plural of “parrot” — usually brightly colored zygodactyl tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

that is looked for

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

not in physical motion

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

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

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.

very small

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature

From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

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

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

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

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.

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

From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

plural of “woodpecker” — bird with strong claws and a stiff tail adapted for climbing and a hard chisel-like bill for boring into wood for insects

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.

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

From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.