Chapter IX · Just Dales

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

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

later than; following

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The air was soft, and as balmy as the first days of Spring.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading The air was soft, and as balmy as the first days of Spring.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Dorothy asked, holding the garment in mid-air.

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading The air was soft, and as balmy as the first days of Spring.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the East Indies

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

a youthful male person

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

with brightness

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

make high-pitched sounds

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

plural of “crystal” — a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading Dorothy asked, holding the garment in mid-air.

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

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

put on clothes

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

start firing a weapon

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The air was soft, and as balmy as the first days of Spring.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

an article of clothing

From this reading Dorothy asked, holding the garment in mid-air.

a frame of iron bars to hold a fire

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Dorothy asked, holding the garment in mid-air.

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

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

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

From this reading Dorothy asked, holding the garment in mid-air.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

plural of “puddle” — a mixture of wet clay and sand that can be used to line a pond and that is impervious to water when dry

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The air was soft, and as balmy as the first days of Spring.

the season of growth

From this reading The air was soft, and as balmy as the first days of Spring.

the rays of the sun

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

carry out

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

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

From this reading “Shall I take my messaline dress, Tavia?”

highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

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

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was three days after Christmas, and what was left of the white crystals was fast becoming brown mud, and the puddles and rivulets of melted snow, very tempting to the small boy, made walking almost impossible for the small boy’s elders.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One almost expected to hear the twittering of a bluebird and the chirp of the robins, but nevertheless a grate fire burned brightly in Dorothy’s room, with the windows thrown open admitting the crisp air and sunlight.