Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

(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 All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

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

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

any thing at all

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

being in a state of proper equilibrium

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

with brightness

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

in a composed and unconcerned manner

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

come to pass

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

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

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

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

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

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

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

the act of indulging or gratifying a desire

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

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

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

having a sharply uneven surface or outline

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

the common people generally

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

become covered with mist

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

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

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

above and across; more than

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

a fence made of upright pickets

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

a small contrasting part of something

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

a coniferous tree

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

To recall to mind.

From this reading "Remember, I am an old hand at mountain climbing, Robert.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

a strong line

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

characteristic of rural life

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "There is nothing to fear," his master said coolly.

Identical; not different.

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

express in words

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

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

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

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 Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

up to a particular time

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

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

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

which person or people

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The moon that night seemed to be indulging in strange vagaries, now dimly visible behind a mist of thin grey vapour, now wholly obscured behind jagged masses of black cloud, and occasionally shining brilliantly from a little patch of clear sky.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.

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

From this reading All the same, if anything should happen, you'd better say that we fancied we heard a cry from down below and I went to see what it was.

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

From this reading Tallente waited for one of the latter moments before he finally tested the rope which was wound around the strongest of the young pine trees and stepped over the rustic wooden paling at the edge of the lookout He stood there balanced between earth and sky, until Robert, who watched him, shivered.