Chapter XI

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

(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 He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

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

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

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

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

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

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

plural of “cabbage” — any of various types of cabbage

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

someone concerned with the science or art or business of cultivating the soil

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

someone concerned with the science or art or business of cultivating the soil

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

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

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

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

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

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

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

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

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

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

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

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

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

held dear

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

not any; not one

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

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

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

a safe place

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

containing or using responses; alternating

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

a protective covering or structure

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

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

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

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

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

having a supporting base

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

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

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

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

From this reading How faithful they were, those tall sentinels, always standing in their places, always interposing their bodies as a shield, always spreading their branches as a covering?

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

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

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

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

From this reading To him the forest was a place of refuge, and every tree a sentinel on guard.

plural of “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 Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

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

From this reading Michel Gamache was no cultivator, and his thoughts of trees were not those of a grower of cabbages.

possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were good companions, too, for they talked with him in a language that he well understood, music that caused his heart-strings to vibrate, and awoke responsive echoes in his soul.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading He loved them, every one, the maples, the poplars, the birches; but most of all the pines, the spruces, the balsams, and all the tribe of evergreens, that protected him against the summer’s heat and the winter’s cold and were a barrier between him and the outer world.