Chapter II

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

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

anew

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

travel across or pass over

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

nonpasserine large-headed bird with a short tail and long sharp bill; usually crested and bright-colored; feed mostly on fish

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

be about

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

most important element

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They would not speak.

to, toward or at one side

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

go across or through

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

of brown tinged with red

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a major French river; flows into the Mediterranean near Marseilles

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

Identical; not different.

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

toward one side

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

be seated

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a light shade of blue

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

express in speech

From this reading They would not speak.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

confined on all sides

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

in a swift manner

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would not speak.

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

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

very small

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

-ing form of “vibrate” — shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

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

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

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

From this reading They felt that they were living the same life as everything about them.

during the time that

From this reading They would live on in silence, listening to the plashing of the Rhone, the tiny wavelets that came rippling in obliquely to the bank, to loiter there among the feet of countless reeds and poplars, while the main current in the centre of the stream flowed swiftly, hurriedly along, as if in haste to reach the sea, and there be swallowed up.--There they would sit and dream, not speaking.

belonging to which person

From this reading And, with the sky-blue bird, their thoughts would cross the river, there to light again upon a branch, bent like a bow, whose slender point trailed in the water, vibrating in the current, and surrounded with a mass of foam, dead leaves, and twigs.

in the company of; together with

From this reading From time to time, a kingfisher, sky-blue and reddish-brown, would pass before them, light on a low branch, gazing sidewise at the water with his beak ready to strike, then, suddenly, fly off across the Rhone.

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

From this reading They would not speak.