Chapter XL · Chapter 40

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

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

(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 The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

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

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

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

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

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

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

plural of “cricket” — leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

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

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

in a fitful manner

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

set up or found

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

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

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

with glory or in a glorious manner

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

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

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

moving with great haste

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

in an idle manner

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

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

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

to an inexpressible degree

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

a small natural hill

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

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

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

plural of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

the act of locking something up to protect it

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

-ing form of “mirror” — reflect as if in a mirror

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

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

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

in a paradoxical manner

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

flow in a circular current, of liquids

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

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

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

a protective covering or structure

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

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

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

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 ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

-ing form of “slumber” — be asleep

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

of or relating to a spectrum

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

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

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

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

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

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

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

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

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

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

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

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

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

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

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

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

From this reading To Diane, stretched comfortably upon the cushions of the boat, which had drifted idly about since early twilight, the night's sounds were indescribably peaceful.

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

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

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

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

From this reading The lap and purl of water, the rustle of birch, the call of an owl in the forest, the noise of frog and tree toad and innumerable crickets, they were all, paradoxically enough, the wildwood sounds of silence.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading It was a lake of white, whispering ghosts locking spectral branches in the wind, of slumbering lilies rustled by the drift of a boat; a lake of checkered lights and shadows fitfully mirroring stars at the mercy of the moon-flecked clouds.

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

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ON THE WESTFALL LAKE Hurrying clouds curtained the silver shield of a full moon and found themselves fringed gloriously with ragged light.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading On the western shore of the wide, wind-ruffled sheet of water, on a wooded knoll, glimmered the lights of the village.