Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

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

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

of the greatest importance

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

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

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

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

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

a line of approach

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

a state or condition being blighted

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

the childhood of a boy

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

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

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

in tiny pieces

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

comparative of “firm” — marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

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

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

plural of “hold” — the act of grasping

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

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

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

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

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

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

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

of very great significance

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

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

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

not any; not one

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

be standing; be upright

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

express in words

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

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

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

in or at that place or location

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

in a thoughtless manner

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

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

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

in the direction of

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

(informal) small and of little importance

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

a quiet or hushed tone of voice

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

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

From this reading In my boyhood I went fishing and tumbled into a mountain stream; I overheard Boller of '89 speaking to Gladys Todd; I walked the Avenue at half past three in the afternoon and met Penelope Blight.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Through what quiet lanes of trivial circumstance do we move toward the momentous events of our lives?

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

From this reading How finely spun is the thread which holds together my story!

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

in the company of; together with

From this reading We go our way, whistling thoughtlessly; we turn a corner and stand face to face with the all-important.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading A firmer foothold on the bank, an ear less quick to catch an undertone, a moment's delay before setting out on my daily airing, and there might have been no story to tell you; the valley might have been all the world I know and the wall of mountains my mind's horizon.