Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

feel physical pain

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

(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 In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

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

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

possessive form of “cynthia” — (Greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo; identified with Roman Diana

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

(used of color) artificially produced; not natural

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

to or in any or all places

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

a relatively small granular particle of a substance

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

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

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

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

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

freed from illness or injury

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

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

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

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 In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

a small natural hill

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

plural of “longing” — prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

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 In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

a sheltered and secluded place

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

affording physical or mental rest

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

having the body covered or partially covered with thin horny plates, as some fish and reptiles

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

quiet, dark, or concealed

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

deliver by singing

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

a male human offspring

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

past form of “still” — make calm or still

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

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

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

feeling self-importance

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

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

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

look attentively

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

at the time that

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

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

From this reading He had discovered many of these still, restful corners from which to watch life as it went by.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

belonging to which person

From this reading In this way he had always healed all his griefs, freed his soul from doubts and stilled the many strange longings that made his heart ache for things whose name and nature he knew not.

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

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

showing curiosity

From this reading At such times he scaled the thinking, wondering part of himself and opened wide his heart to the great whisper that rippled the grain, to the sweet song that swelled the throat of the oriole and lark, to the beauty that dyed the heavens and the earth, to the glad struggle for life everywhere.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE KNOLL There were whole days when Cynthia's son did nothing but loaf,--whole days when he went off by himself into the still corners of his world and let the whole wide universe talk and sing to him and awe him with its mystery.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He would lie for hours in some cool, shady fern nook under a sheltering road hedge or in the shade of some giant tree friend.