Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Miss Drake paused on the knoll, and looked about her.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

(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 It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

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

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

become glassy; lose clear vision

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

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

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

rural regions

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

move deeply

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)

From this reading Miss Drake paused on the knoll, and looked about her.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Miss Drake paused on the knoll, and looked about her.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

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

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

a small natural hill

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

immediately past

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Miss Drake paused on the knoll, and looked about her.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Drake paused on the knoll, and looked about her.

a large indefinite number

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

above and across; more than

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

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

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Miss Drake paused on the knoll, and looked about her.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

curved or curving in and out

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

make square

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

not in physical motion

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

the rays of the sun

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

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

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

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

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

in a tropical manner

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.

-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Like the shadow of clouds on ripe corn, the red tiles of the village roofs patched the countryside.

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 OFF DUTY The last of the sunlight streamed level through a gap in the western ridges.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It melted, with sinuous, tender shadows, the dry contour of field and knoll, and poured over all the parching land a liquid, undulating grace.

but in spite of that

From this reading From the distant sea had come a breath of air, cool enough to be felt with gratitude, yet so faint as neither to disturb the dry pulsation of myriad insect-voices, nor to blur the square mirrors of distant rice-fields, still tropically blue or icy with reflected clouds.