Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

at or in the front

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

(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 And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

confined by bonds

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

an ardent follower and admirer

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

in another and different manner

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

to say again or imitate

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

apart from; not including

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

only a very short time before

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

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

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

the officer below the master on a commercial ship

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

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

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

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

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

not any; not one

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

in a northern direction

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

on one occasion

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

above and across; more than

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

Identical; not different.

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

toward the south

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

the season of growth

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

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

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading And when they went southward, they went all together--the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters in one great company.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

anything that resembles a vagabond in having no fixed place

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.

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

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

at the time that

From this reading In following the Great Rice Trail, Bob went over the same road that he had taken the spring before when he was northward bound; but one could hardly believe him to be the same bird, for he looked different and he acted differently.

during the time that

From this reading In the late summer, the departing bird was dull of hue and, except for a few notes that once in a great while escaped him, like some nearly forgotten echo of the spring, he had no more music in him than his mate, May.

a Caucasian

From this reading And the vagabond brothers had been gay of garb--fresh black and white, with a touch of buff.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the spring it had all been different: Bob had come north with his vagabond brothers a bit ahead of the sister-folk.