Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

(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 Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

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

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

with complaints

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

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

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

in a cheerless manner

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

divisible by two

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

house for a farmer and family

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

in a fitful manner

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

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

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

plural of “kick” — the act of delivering a blow with the foot

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

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

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

immediately past

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

having no leaves

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

past form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

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

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

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

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

move over something with pressure

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading A cheerful fire was crackling in a large kitchen range, suggesting, by its brightness and snapping, pine-knots full of pitch and resin.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

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

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

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

From this reading A THIEF IN THE NIGHT Outside, the fitful early April wind howled dismally, swaying the leafless branches of the old elm, and causing them to rub complainingly against the gable end of the farmhouse.

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

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

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

From this reading Two or three inches of fine snow had fallen the day before and the wind tossed it about gleefully, festooning the window-sashes and piling it high upon window-sills.

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

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

characteristic of or occurring in winter

From this reading It was one of old winter's last kicks and made it seem even more wintry than it really was.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Although the wind moaned and the snow danced fitfully, within a certain quaint farmhouse in Northern New York was warmth and comfort, all the more apparent by the touch of winter outside.