Chapter XIII

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

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

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

very lively and profitable

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

kill (animals) usually for food consumption

From this reading "It's a cold day to butcher," Sarah said.

the business of a butcher

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

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

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

used especially of front teeth having (artificial) crowns

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

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 On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "It's a cold day to butcher," Sarah said.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

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

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

plural of “gu” — the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas which is administered as a territory of the United States; it was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

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

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

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

From this reading "It's a cold day to butcher," Sarah said.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

the light of the Moon

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

porridge made of rolled oats

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

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

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

done with very great haste and without due deliberation

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It's a cold day to butcher," Sarah said.

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

past form of “scratch” — cause friction

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

plural of “tank” — an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

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

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

no longer frozen solid

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

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

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

make brown and crisp by heating

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

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

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Early Ann thawed the pump with hot water from the tea kettle; Sarah started the oatmeal, ham and eggs, toast and coffee.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

-ing form of “whine” — move with a whining sound

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Gus scratched a peep-hole in the hoar frost on the window pane and looked out into the ten-below moonlight.

plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

in the company of; together with

From this reading On a steel-cold January morning with the frozen lake booming and the wind whining along the telephone wires--a morning so cold that the pump in the kitchen was frozen and three inches of ice capped the stock tanks--the Brailsfords rolled out at four to begin butchering.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.

a late time of life

From this reading They left the deep warmth of their feather-beds, came down the narrow, precipitous back stairs worn in hollows by years of weary feet.