Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

possessing life

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

from appearances alone

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

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

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

a light shade of blue

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

a bleak and desolate atmosphere

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

one or the other of two

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

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

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

set up or found

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

any unit of length based on the breadth of the human hand

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

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

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

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

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

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

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

not close together in time

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

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

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

wetness caused by water

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

past form of “ooze” — pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

a small contrasting part of something

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

by chance

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

a safe place

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

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

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

young plant or tree grown from a seed

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

toned down

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

the season of growth

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

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

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

very small

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

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

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

being five more than twenty

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

a sudden or mysterious disappearance

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

in or at the place that

From this reading In one spot, at the back, a spread of intense green and a handbreadth of moisture on the rock showed where a tiny spring oozed from a crevice to keep this lonely oasis in the granite alive and fresh.

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

From this reading The ledge on which he had found refuge was apparently an isolated one, about fifty or sixty feet in length, and vanishing into the face of the sheer cliff at either end.

the extent of something from side to side

From this reading It had a width of perhaps twenty-five feet; and its surface, fairly level, held some soil in its rocky hollows.

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

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the farthest edge of the shelf, and eying him with savage dread, sat the young eagle which had fallen with him.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Two or three dark-green seedling firs, a slim young silver birch, a patch or two of wind-beaten grass, and some clumps of harebells, azure as the clear sky overhead, softened the bareness of this tiny, high-flung terrace.