Chapter XXX · Just Fun

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

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

later than; following

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

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

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

next to; at the side of

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

in a disastrous manner

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

made known (especially something secret or concealed)

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

-ing form of “doze” — sleep lightly or for a short period of time

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

the state of containing nothing

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Finally, he gave up looking for his vanished friend.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Finally, he gave up looking for his vanished friend.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Finally, he gave up looking for his vanished friend.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

in a flattering and ingratiating manner

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Finally, he gave up looking for his vanished friend.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

keep engaged

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

a sheltered and secluded place

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

not divisible by two

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

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

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

above and across; more than

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

in a philosophic manner

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

in a plaintive manner

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

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

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

past form of “sidle” — move unobtrusively or furtively

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

a device to help you walk on deep snow; a lightweight frame shaped like a racquet is strengthened with cross pieces and contains a network of thongs; one is worn on each foot

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading He crouched and sprang to his lap, rubbing a black nose ingratiatingly against his sleeve.

resistant to change of position or condition

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

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

From this reading Finally, he gave up looking for his vanished friend.

having passed out of existence

From this reading Finally, he gave up looking for his vanished friend.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

creating fabric

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading For weeks after the Lost Farm folk returned from the hunting that had ended so disastrously, Beelzebub wandered about the camp and the stable, poking his broad, sleek fighting-face into odd corners, and mewing plaintively as each nook disclosed an emptiness that he could not understand.

at the time that

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading When the snow came he resumed his old place beside the kitchen stove, philosophically dozing away the long winter days in luxurious content.

past form of “yawn” — utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

From this reading One December afternoon, as Avery sat weaving the mesh of a snowshoe, Beelzebub stretched himself, yawned, and sidled over to the old man.