Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

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

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

plural of “calf” — young of domestic cattle

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

having a sophisticated charm

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

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

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

divisible by two

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

enclose with a fence

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

brought together in one place

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

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

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

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

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

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

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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 She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

any of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large pods rich in sugar

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

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

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

a child's room for a baby

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

above and across; more than

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

with low volume

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

continue talking or writing in a desultory manner

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

move upward

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

an easy victory

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

reflecting optimism

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

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

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

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

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

the season of growth

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

take without the owner's consent

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She and Don in those days had had many a ramble before the dew was off the grass.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

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

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

not known

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

not beset by troubles or disturbance or distress

From this reading She liked to steal quietly out of the nursery and go adventuring before breakfast; she felt then like Blue Bonnet the fourteen-year-old, full of the joy of life, untroubled by fears of any sort or desires for the great unknown.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Hat-less and short-skirted she had climbed fences, brushed through mesquite and buffalo grass; hunted nests of chaparral-birds; sat on the top bar of the old pasture fence and watched the little calves gambolling; or, earlier in the spring, had gathered great armfuls of blue bonnets from over in the south meadow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading CONSEQUENCES BLUE BONNET came in from an early morning romp with Don and Solomon looking even more rosy and debonair than usual.

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

From this reading It was surprising how much easier it was to rise early at the ranch than it had been at Woodford.