Chapter XII

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

From this reading Building a Cabin.

Having no one else present.

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

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

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Building a Cabin.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Building a Cabin.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

the act of discovering something

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

an opposing military force

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

apart from; not including

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

set up or found

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

of an obscure nature

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

inflected form of “nut” — gather nuts

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

in other respects or ways

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

established beyond doubt

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

on the contrary

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

logically valid

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

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

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

not openly expressed

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

not in physical motion

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

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

From this reading On the other hand, Ree was bright and chipper as a squirrel in the nutting season.

at the time that

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

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

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

during the time that

From this reading And they now knew that they must be constantly on their guard, while except for the discovery, they might have become careless and fallen easy victims to their sneaking foe.

which person or people

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.

in the company of; together with

From this reading By reason of having been the first to see the strange foot-prints, and having come upon them, too, in the gray light of the early morning, when alone in the forest solitudes, John found it hard to shake off the dread with which they filled him.

performs some wicked deed

From this reading He reasoned that the discovery of the tracks was fortunate, rather than otherwise, for it proved that their mysterious enemy was still hovering on their trail and gave them an opportunity of finding out who the wretch might be.