Chapter IX

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

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

later than; following

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

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

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

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

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

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

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

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

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

plural of “cedar” — any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

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

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

past form of “entrust” — confer a trust upon

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

abounding in or covered with ferns

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

past form of “flame” — shine with a sudden light

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

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

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

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

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

not accessible to view

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

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

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

held dear

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

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

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

and nothing more

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

moving quickly and lightly

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

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

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

plural of “oriole” — mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

above and across; more than

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

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

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

caught or fixed

From this reading If he stuck pumpkin-seeds into corn-hills, he did so with a machine-like motion.

a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

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

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

having passed out of existence

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

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

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

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

From this reading He watched Dennis after their return as the latter came out of the alarm-post over the way and went to the tavern or the war office.

at the time that

From this reading Dennis for a time merely bowed to him and passed him by, day by day, when on duty; and the corn grew, and the orioles flamed in the air.

a Caucasian

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

belonging to which person

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

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

From this reading He had listened to the singing of the birds in the cedars, but he forgot the bird-singing now; though he loved rare wild flowers, a white orchid bloomed among the wintergreens by the ferny brookside, but he did not see it now; the sky, the forests, and everything seemed to have vanished away.

in the company of; together with

From this reading PETER NIMBLE AND DENNIS IN THE ALARM-POST Peter, after being entrusted with Dennis’s secret of the hidden powder, walked about like one whose head was in the air.