Chapter XXIII · A Confession

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

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

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

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

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

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

loud and persistent outcry from many people

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

rid of obstructions

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

a situation in which people or things are crowded together

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

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

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

the first light of day

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

set up or found

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

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

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

pitted with cell-like cavities (as a honeycomb)

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

inflected form of “lap” — lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

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

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

comparative of “mild” — moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

become covered with mist

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

in motion

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

a large indefinite number

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

the state of being without clothing or covering of any kind

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

the middle of the day

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

incomprehensibility resulting from obscurity of meaning

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

above and across; more than

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

a coniferous tree

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

possessing material wealth

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

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

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

the outline of objects seen against the sky

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

toned down

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

cooked in steam

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

coming after or following

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

filled or abounding with clouds

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

feeling self-importance

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

possessing sweep

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

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

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

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

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

past form of “toil” — work hard

From this reading On the skidways dotted along the North Branch, that swept eddying into Lost Lake, the lumbermen toiled from the first glimmer of dawn until dusk, running the logs to the river until its broad surface was one moving floor of crowding timbers.

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

up to a particular time

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

having or as if having a veil or concealing cover

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.

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

From this reading They lapped the soft loam from the tree-roots until the clear snow-water was stained with streaks of brown, in which floated mildewing patches of clotted leaves.

during the time that

From this reading Moss-banked logs and boulders steamed as the sun found them through the dripping trees, and a faint, almost imperceptible mist softened the nakedness of beech and maple, while on the skyline the hills wavered in a blue opaqueness that veiled their rich dark-green pinnacles of spruce and pine.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the April rains the myriad inch-deep streams sprang to clamoring torrents that swelled and burst over the level of their gutted courses.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Ridges of honeycombed snow lay in the cold, sunless hollows of the woods, slowly melting as each succeeding noon brought milder weather.