Chapter VI

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

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

people who are frustrated and perplexed

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading I cried.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading "Luck to you, O Golden-Wings!"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I cried.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

a unit of instruction

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading "Luck to you, O Golden-Wings!"

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

not any; not one

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "Luck to you, O Golden-Wings!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

and nothing more

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

plural of “talon” — a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading "For already you have taught me a lesson for Life.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

in or at that place or location

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading "Luck to you, O Golden-Wings!"

the upper part of anything

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

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

From this reading The birds dropped down, baffled, to rest in the top of a sugar-maple tree.

not seen or perceived

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

in or at the place that

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

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

From this reading Let us keep _above_ our enemies if we would be safe, not beneath them—for there we are a prey to their talons, besmirched with dirt; nor on their level, for there we are no better than they; but _above_ them where they cannot reach us, and where we may go on to our destiny with only the sunlight around us and the unseen stars above."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Luck to you, O Golden-Wings!"