Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

(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 "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

a line made of twisted fibers or threads

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

divisible by two

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

woodlands in full leaf

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

a narrow gorge with a stream running through it

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

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

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

the act of retaining something

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

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

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

engage in

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

showing or giving mercy

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

plural of “mutter” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

exceptional, unusual, or remarkable

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

above and across; more than

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

a small lake

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb)

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

a strong line

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

at the same instant

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

being all around the edges; enclosing

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

From this reading SOLUTION.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck)

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

a residential district located on the outskirts of a city

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

express a supposition

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.

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

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There is the pond, however; I can jump into that, I suppose: but how much more decent were it to make one's quietus under the merry greenwood tree with a cord--" He stops suddenly, holding his breath; and, almost simultaneously with a sharp, rushing noise in the leaves overhead, something drops upon his shoulder.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading In the darkness of a night made opaque by approaching showers, a man stands under the low-drooping branches of the edge of a wood skirting the cross-road leading down to Gospeler's Gulch.

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading "Not enough saved from the wreck even to buy the merciful rope that should end all my humor and impecuniosity!" he mutters, over his folded arms and heaving chest.

but in spite of that

From this reading "I have come to this out-of-the-way suburb to end my miserable days, and not so much as one clothes-line have I seen yet.