Chapter IV

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

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, etc.

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

(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 The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

relating to or characteristic of alps

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

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

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

a feeling of craving something

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

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

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

emanating from God

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

past form of “fare” — proceed or get along

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

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

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

a young female

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

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

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals)

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

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

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

temporary military shelter

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

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

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

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

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

a landowner who leases to others

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

small finch originally of the western United States and Mexico

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

engage in

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

a particular point in time

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

characterized by or capable of producing music

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

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

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

on one occasion

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

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

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

a person who sings

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

term of address for a man

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

express in words

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

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

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

a picturesque mountainous province of western Austria and northern Italy

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

-ing form of “warble” — sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

during the time that

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading It’s sheer desecration, I tell you—sheer wicked desecration; there’s nothing, almost, that girl couldn’t do with her voice.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

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

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE WIRTH’S THEORY In the evening, while they dined, the landlord came in to see how they fared, and wish them good appetite: ’tis the custom with distinguished guests in the Tyrol.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading The moment he entered, Florian, all agog, attacked him at once on the subject of their wonderful find that afternoon on the hillside.

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

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Now, what do you mean, sir, by turning out a divine singer like that—I’m a musical critic myself, and I know what I’m talking about—what do you mean by turning her out to make butter and cheese in a solitary hut on an Alpine pasture?

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well, Herr Hausberger,” he cried in his high-flown way, “we’ve seen and heard your Linnet—heard her warbling her native wood-notes wild, to the tune of her own cow-bells on her lonely mountains.