Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

anew

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "The birds who are Citizens are usually the first to build," answered the Doctor.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading "The birds who are Citizens are usually the first to build," answered the Doctor.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "The birds who are Citizens are usually the first to build," answered the Doctor.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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 BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

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

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

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

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

a person having kinship with another or others

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

a narrow way or road

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

a protective covering that protects an inside surface

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

engage in

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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 In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

and nothing more

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

not any; not one

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

a course of conduct

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

a reproach for some lapse or misdeed

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

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

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

in the direction of

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

branch out in a twiglike manner

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

up to a particular time

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

under normal conditions

From this reading "The birds who are Citizens are usually the first to build," answered the Doctor.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

at the time that

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading In fact, there were so many birds in sight that Nat did not know which to ask about first, and so kept looking instead of talking.

during the time that

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

which person or people

From this reading "The birds who are Citizens are usually the first to build," answered the Doctor.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading "They merely roved about during the winter months, and had no long journey to make before they reached the home trees again, and then the hardy seed-eating birds can return from the South much earlier than their frailer kin."

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading THE BIRD'S NEST "I wonder why some birds build their nests so very early, when it is cold, and there are no leaves on the trees, while others wait until it is almost summer," said Rap, as they walked down a narrow lane toward the river.

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

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading There were bushes lining the path on each side, and from the singing you would think that every bush had a bird on each twig.