Chapter I

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

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

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

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

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

the residue that remains when something is burned

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

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

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

plural of “bite” — a wound resulting from biting by an animal or a person

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

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

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By FRITZ LEIBER, Jr.

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

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

the act of closing something

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

the first light of day

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

tropical starchy tuberous root

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

filled with wonder and delight

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

divisible by two

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

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

From this reading By FRITZ LEIBER, Jr.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

plural of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

third-person singular of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

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

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

highest in quality

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

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

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

United States playwright who collaborated with George S. Kaufman (1904-1961)

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

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

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

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

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

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

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

plural of “instrumentalist” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

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

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

a son who has the same first name as his father

From this reading By FRITZ LEIBER, Jr.

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

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

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

From this reading By FRITZ LEIBER, Jr.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

the force of workers available

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

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

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

on one occasion

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

in a state of progressive putrefaction

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

plural of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

important in effect or meaning

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

plural of “streamer” — light that streams

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

third-person singular of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

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

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

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

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

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

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

the upper part of anything

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

in the direction of

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

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

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.

relating to or using sight

From this reading _Elder Edda._ In ghostly, shivering streamers of green and blue, like northern lights, the closing hues of the fourth Hoderson symchromy, called "the Yggdrasil," shuddered down toward visual silence.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Once more the ancient myth, antedating even the Dawn Civilization, had been told--of the tree of life with its roots in heaven and hell and the land of the frost giants, and serpents gnawing at those roots and the gods fighting to preserve it.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Transmuted into significant color by Hoderson's genius, interpreted by the world's greatest color instrumentalists, the primeval legend of cosmic dread and rottenness and mystery, of wheels within cosmic wheels, had once more enthralled its beholders.

(Norse mythology) a huge ash tree whose roots and branches hold the earth and Heaven and Hell together

From this reading The ash Yggdrasil great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, its trunk is rotting, And Nidhogg gnaws beneath.