Chapter V

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

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

later than; following

From this reading He had planned to model his dam in the alder meadow after the one at the old colony.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc

From this reading He had planned to model his dam in the alder meadow after the one at the old colony.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

the act of constructing something

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

plural of “foothill” — a relatively low hill on the lower slope of a mountain

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

of great significance or value

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading He had planned to model his dam in the alder meadow after the one at the old colony.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading He had planned to model his dam in the alder meadow after the one at the old colony.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

not any; not one

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

many times at short intervals

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had planned to model his dam in the alder meadow after the one at the old colony.

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading He had planned to model his dam in the alder meadow after the one at the old colony.

plural of “repair” — the act of putting something in working order again

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

becoming stronger

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

confined on all sides

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

the act of using

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

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

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading He had traveled many weary miles by lakes and rivers, to find a spot where such a dam could be built.

in or at the place that

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

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

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading HOW THE GREAT DAM WAS BUILT Shaggycoat, of course, had had no experience in dam-building, but he had often watched repairs upon the dam in the colony where he and his grandfather lived, before that terrible winter and the destruction of their snug city.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A broad meadow surrounded by foothills, with a narrow neck at the lower end where the dam was to be, and large trees near to use in its construction.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.

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

From this reading He was too young at the time to be allowed to help in such important work as strengthening the dam, which needed old and wise heads, but there was no rule against his watching and seeing how it was done.