Chapter IV · 50

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

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

frightening because of an awareness of danger

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

eagerly desirous

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

in a state of sleep

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

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

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

third-person singular of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

offering little or no hope

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

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

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

quick and energetic

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

perennial plants having thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

conducive to good health of body or mind

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

plural of “mound” — (baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

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

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

not any; not one

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

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

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

in the near future

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

plural of “protest” — a formal and solemn declaration of objection

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a polite refusal of an invitation

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

a large beer glass

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

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

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

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

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

in or at or to some place

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

in or at that place or location

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

as much as a thimble will hold

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

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

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

past form of “topple” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading The fire failed: it was dark; and the wind blew up--and higher.

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

look attentively

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

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

From this reading The dogs were already asleep, each covered with a slow-fashioning blanket of snow--ten round mounds, with neither snout nor hair to show.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

in the company of; together with

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

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

From this reading Well, now, Teddy Brisk fell asleep, and presently, too, Billy Topsail, in his wolfskin bag, got the better of his anxious watch on the wind and toppled off.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading _In Which the Wind Goes to Work, the Ice Behaves in an Alarming Way, Billy Topsail Regrets, for Obvious Reasons, Having to Do with the Dogs, that He Had Not Brought an Axe, and Teddy Brisk Protests that His Mother Knew Precisely What She was Talking About_

but in spite of that

From this reading A bleak place, this, on Schooner Bay, somewhere between the Thimble and the Scotchman's Breakfast of Ginger Head; yet there was no hardship in the night--no shivering, blue agony of cold, but full measure of healthful comfort.