Chapter IV

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

a cherished desire

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

brought into existence

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

a young person of either sex

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

formerly, the eldest son of the King of France and direct heir to the throne

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

with eagerness; in an eager manner

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

at any time

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

a social unit living together

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

adorned with feathers or plumes

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

past form of “grace” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

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

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

a boy or man

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

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

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

engage in

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading “Let’s go over and have a look at him in the morning, Rob,” eagerly responded Dauphin.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

cut with a saw

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

the season of growth

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

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

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

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

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

at the time that

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

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

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading From the furred and feathered dwellers of the wilderness into which the family had moved, when Dauphin was a small child, he had secured and mounted a collection of specimens that would have graced the great college which it was his ambition some day to attend.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Dauphin was a “born naturalist,” as his father called him, which meant that the lad had a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature, and went about with his eyes open.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

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

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”

the day immediately before today

From this reading THE GREAT BLUE HERON “Dauph,” said Robert Allen one morning in early spring, “I saw a pair of wood ducks over in Cut-off Slough yesterday, and the drake had the handsomest plumage I ever saw on a bird.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading He would make a fine specimen for your collection.”