Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

to come to rest, settle

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

(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 Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

for the reason that

From this reading He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

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

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

five-toed pachyderm

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

a gay feeling

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

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

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

terrestrial plant-eating insect with hind legs adapted for leaping

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

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

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

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

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

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

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

an inconvenient discomfort

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

the early stage of growth or development

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

a land imagined by Jonathan Swift where impractical projects were pursued and practical projects neglected

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

full of life and energy

From this reading He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

the force of workers available

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

a person disposed to take a favorable view of things

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

by chance

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

To recall to mind.

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

ascending to a level markedly higher than the usual

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

the season of growth

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

inspiring awe

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

express a supposition

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Such natural energy, though sublime, might certainly be inconvenient, and much of this inconvenience attended the gaiety and good intentions of the man in green.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

flesh of any of several primarily freshwater game and food fishes

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

-ing form of “trumpet” — proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

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

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

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

From this reading He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

(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 He was too large for everything, because he was lively as well as large.

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

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.

a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

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

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

having wings or as if having wings of a specified kind

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Luggage of an Optimist We all remember the fairy tales of science in our infancy, which played with the supposition that large animals could jump in the proportion of small ones.

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

From this reading If a whale could leap from the sea like a trout, perhaps men might look up and see one soaring above Yarmouth like the winged island of Laputa.

concerning the study of animals and their classification and properties

From this reading If an elephant were as strong as a grasshopper, he could (I suppose) spring clean out of the Zoological Gardens and alight trumpeting upon Primrose Hill.