Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

(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 At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

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

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

marked by extreme anger

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

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

From this reading Arslàn had sailed at sunrise.

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

completely unclothed

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

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

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

plural of “canal” — (astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

early spring flower common in British isles having fragrant yellow or sometimes purple flowers

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

plural of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

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

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

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

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

very recently

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

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

From this reading Arslàn had sailed at sunrise.

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

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

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

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

succulent herbaceous vegetation of pasture land

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

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

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

a boy or man

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

set down according to a plan

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

a large number or amount

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

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

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

the force of workers available

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

plural of “odor” — any property detected by the olfactory system

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

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

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

an inadequate payment

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

(of farmland) broken and turned over with a plow

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

a native or inhabitant of Russia

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading Arslàn had sailed at sunrise.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

the act of perceiving the odor of something

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

toward the south

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

past form of “steer” — direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

the first light of day

From this reading Arslàn had sailed at sunrise.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

a source of difficulty

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

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

From this reading There was a little boat, with an old man in it, loaded with Russian violets from a flower-farm.

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

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

which person or people

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the little quay in the town many boats were lading and unlading, and many setting their sails to go southward with their loads of eggs, or of birds, of flowers, of fruit, or of herbage; all smelling of summer rain, and the odors of freshly plowed earths turned up with the nest of the lark and the root of the cowslip laid bare in them.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Folle-Farine lost herself in its little busy crowd, and learned what she needed without any asking, in turn, question of her.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.

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

From this reading The old man was angered and in trouble: the lad who steered for him had failed him, and the young men and boys on the canals were all too busied to be willing to go the voyage for the wretched pittance he offered.