Chapter III

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading She nestled closer against him.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

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

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading She nestled closer against him.

a baby bed with sides and rockers

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

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

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

an opening that permits escape or release

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

reflecting light

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading She nestled closer against him.

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

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

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

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

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

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Tell me some more,” she urged.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection

From this reading She nestled closer against him.

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

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

reflecting optimism

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

plural of “shaft” — a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She nestled closer against him.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

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

From this reading “Tell me some more,” she urged.

plural of “sparkle” — merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

express in words

From this reading “Tell me some more,” she urged.

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

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

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

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading “Tell me some more,” she urged.

having passed out of existence

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

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

From this reading I don’t know so much as your name, though I do be runnin’ away wid ye.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading EXIT SANTA CLAUS The air bit more keenly, for the afternoon was wearing on; already the dazzling sparkles had vanished from the snow, and rosy sunbeams slipped among the glistening tree shafts and lay with the tall shadows upon the ground of the forest aisles.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Sure, ’tis me hist’ry from the cradle up that I’m afther tellin’ ye, ’tis your turn now.