Chapter IV

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

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading At least, it gave them a slight advantage over the mosquitoes.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At least, it gave them a slight advantage over the mosquitoes.

capable of being borne though unpleasant

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

with the legs crossed

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

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

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading At least, it gave them a slight advantage over the mosquitoes.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

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

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading At least, it gave them a slight advantage over the mosquitoes.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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 There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

by chance

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals

From this reading At least, it gave them a slight advantage over the mosquitoes.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

according to the clock

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

above and across; more than

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

(British) the dessert course of a meal (“pud” is used informally)

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading At least, it gave them a slight advantage over the mosquitoes.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a faint breath of air creeping down the long green slope behind them which to some extent made existence more bearable.

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

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

three times

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

push forcefully

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

in the direction of

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading It was getting along toward one o’clock now, and thrice they had had to shift their positions to keep the tree boughs between them and the glowing sun.

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 UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Pud, cross-legged, a grass-blade between his teeth and a ruminative look on his face, answered absently, ‘Maybe he will.’

(of plants) limp due to heat, loss of water, or disease

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.

in the company of; together with

From this reading UNDER THE SKULL-AND-CROSS-BONES ‘I wish he’d hurry up with that water,’ muttered Tim, his hands under his head, his straw hat pulled over his forehead, and the rest of his countenance obscured by the wilted leaves of the maple branch which he had thrust between the buttons of his shirt.