Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

later than; following

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

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

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

past form of “bicker” — argue over petty things

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

uttered without voice

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

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

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

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

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

a man who is a stupid incompetent fool

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

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

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

plural of “dawn” — the first light of day

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

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

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

apart from; not including

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

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

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

without good sense or judgment

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

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

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

ten 10s

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

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

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

according to the clock

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

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

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

in a vehement outcry

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

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

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

in a strange manner

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

suffering from overexposure to direct sunlight

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

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

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

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

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading Neville turned on her face, cupped her small, pale, tanned face in her sunburnt hands, and looked out with sleepy violet eyes.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream-broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The sharp joy of the young day struck into her as she breathed it through the wide window.