AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
argumentnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
attractsverbUS /əˈtrækts/
third-person singular of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
boatswain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
camp-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
defeatnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
dominatesverbUS /ˈdɑːməneɪts/
third-person singular of “dominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
falsettonounUS /fɔːlˈsetoʊ/
a male singing voice with artificially high tones in an upper register
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
half-querulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
hen-hawk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
high-pitchedadjective
used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
lettingnounUS /ˈletɪŋ/
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
listenernounUS /ˈlɪsənər/
someone who listens attentively
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
makesnounUS /meɪks/
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
mountverbUS /maʊnt/
attach to a support
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
northwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
observationnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən/
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
opposedadjectiveUS /əˈpoʊzd/
being in opposition or having an opponent
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
Phelps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
philosophicaladjectiveUS /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəl/
of or relating to philosophy or philosophers
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
pipenounUS /paɪp/
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
pipingnounUS /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/
a thin strip of covered cord used to edge hems
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
pottering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
putsnounUS /pʊts/
plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
qualitynounUS /ˈkwɑːləti/
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
quaveringadjectiveUS /ˈkweɪvərɪŋ/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
riseverbUS /raɪz/
move upward
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
roarverbUS /rɔːr/
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
screamverbUS /skriːm/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
sentencenounUS /ˈsentəns/
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
shrillest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
startlesnounUS /ˈstɑːrtəlz/
plural of “startle” — a sudden involuntary movement
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
stumblingverbUS /ˈstʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
tempests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
twigverbUS /twɪɡ/
branch out in a twiglike manner
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
unsuspectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪd/
not suspected or believed likely
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading If the appearance of Old Phelps attracts attention, his voice, when first heard, invariably startles the listener.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading A small, high-pitched, half-querulous voice, it easily rises into the shrillest falsetto; and it has a quality in it that makes it audible in all the tempests of the forest, or the roar of rapids, like the piping of a boatswain's whistle at sea in a gale.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
wishesnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪz/
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading He has a way of letting it rise as his sentence goes on, or when he is opposed in argument, or wishes to mount above other voices in the conversation, until it dominates everything.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he is pottering about the camp-fire, trying to light his pipe with a twig held in the flame, he is apt to begin some philosophical observation in a small, slow, stumbling voice, which seems about to end in defeat; when he puts on some unsuspected force, and the sentence ends in an insistent shriek.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Heard in the depths of the woods, quavering aloft, it is felt to be as much a part of nature, an original force, as the northwest wind or the scream of the hen-hawk.
