Chapter III

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

react verbally

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a device that controls amount of light admitted

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

making bread or cake or pastry etc.

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

in an effectual manner

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

immediately past

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

the quality of being meager

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

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 The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

unnecessary and unwarranted

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

having a supporting base

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

inflected form of “strive” — attempt by employing effort

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading At last he had scraped a sufficiently large aperture--he was slender to leanness.

plural of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.

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

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

up to a particular time

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

a feeling of alarm or dread

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Chūnnee had now received his answer; he stole forth, and crept like a shadow from wall to wall, down a series of narrow paths, till he came to a house standing alone in an open space--a notable abode, for a tree grew through the roof.

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

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The baking of many seasons’ suns had effectually hardened this impediment, and he strove for an hour, listening for sounds with intense trepidation, whilst the sweat poured down his face.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The door was closed--needless to try it; he must work his way through the mud wall at the back, and crawl in.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading There was no gate to the outer yard, no dog.