Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading A week slipped by.

highly skilled

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

(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 All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

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

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

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

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

cooked in hot water

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

extremely deep

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A week slipped by.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

a line made of twisted fibers or threads

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

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

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

color with dye

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

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

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

in an impressively beautiful manner

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

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

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

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

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

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

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

angered at something unjust or wrong

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

characteristic of or resembling Hell

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

past form of “initial” — mark with one's initials

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Roman Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

the property of a continuous and connected period of time

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

move through with or as if with a rake

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

with speed

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

grasslike or rushlike plant growing in wet places having solid stems, narrow grasslike leaves and spikelets of inconspicuous flowers

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading A week slipped by.

a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

the money risked on a gamble

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

doomed to extinction

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

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

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

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

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

not giving satisfaction

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

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

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A week slipped by.

at the time that

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

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

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

past form of “whittle” — cut small bits or pare shavings from

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading When Diane was honestly indignant, Philip was quiet and industrious, and accomplished a great deal with his knife and bits of wood.

someone who lives in the woods

From this reading All in all, he told Nero, he was evoluting rapidly into an excellent woodsman, despite the peculiar appearance of the sedge mat.

inflected form of “weave” — interlace by or as if by weaving

From this reading Philip wove an unsatisfactory mat of sedge upon a loom of cord and stakes, whittled himself a knife and fork and spoon which he initialed gorgeously with the dye of a boiled alder, invented a camp rake of forked branches, made a broom of twigs, and sunk a candle in the floor of his tent which he covered with a bottomless milk bottle.

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

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading THE YOUNG MAN OF THE SEA Diane was to learn that the infernal persistence of the Old Man of the Sea of Arabian origin could find its match in youth.