Chapter II

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

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

later than; following

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

in addition

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

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

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

completely unclothed

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

for the reason that

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

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

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

with the legs crossed

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

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 It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

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

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

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

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

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

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

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

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

being perceived or observed

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

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

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

and nothing more

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

a Turk (especially a Turk who is a member of the tribe of Osman I)

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading Mother was singing, and she was also rubbing her head backwards and forwards against this lovely human creature's bare arm.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

past form of “sneeze” — exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

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

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

hard to endure

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading Brother and I sat back and looked up in astonishment, although looking up made our heads so light that we nearly tumbled.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

precisely as stated

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Now, some weeks after brother and I opened our eyes, we learned to lap milk.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

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

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

at the time that

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.

during the time that

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

which person or people

From this reading While trying one day to lap some milk, we noticed that mother was singing to a very pretty human being, who sat cross-legged upon a low ottoman.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was difficult to do this at first, though we wanted to, because our eyes were not yet strong enough to judge distances, and sometimes when we thought we were licking the milk we were only lapping the air; then when we put our heads further down our noses went into the silver saucer up to the eyes, and we thought we were drowned, and sprang up and sneezed.