Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

an early French settler in the Maritimes

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

(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 They dismissed them all, indifferently, as "varmin."

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

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

From this reading They dismissed them all, indifferently, as "varmin."

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

lacking definite form or limits

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

having lost your job

From this reading They dismissed them all, indifferently, as "varmin."

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

at any time

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

with indifference; in an indifferent manner

From this reading They dismissed them all, indifferently, as "varmin."

angered at something unjust or wrong

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

the mainland part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the eastern part of the large Labrador-Ungava Peninsula in northeastern Canada

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

a monster able to change appearance from human to wolf and back again

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

wishing evil to others

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

totally perplexed and mixed up

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

not any; not one

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

arrange in a container

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

and nothing more

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

of or relating to a spectrum

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

supernatural forces and events and beings collectively

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

coerce by violence or with threats

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

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

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

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

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But their fellows of English speech, having no such tradition to fall back upon, were mystified and indignant.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

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

From this reading They dismissed them all, indifferently, as "varmin."

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

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

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

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

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

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

which person or people

From this reading Those who were of French descent among them, and full of the old Acadian superstitions, explained it simply enough by saying he was a _loup-garou_, or "wer-wolf," and resigned themselves to the impossibility of contending against a creature of such supernatural malignity and power.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why he was so much bigger, more powerful, and more implacably savage than the other members of the gray, spectral pack, which had appeared suddenly from the north to terrorize their lone and scattered clearings, the settlers of the lower Quah-Davic Valley could not guess.

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading The ordinary gray, or "cloudy," wolf of the East they knew, though he was so rare south of Labrador that few of them had ever seen one.