Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

(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 All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

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

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

any person at all

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

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

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

an indefinite time in the future

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

a tract of land used for burials

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

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

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

make high-pitched sounds

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

the first light of day

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

leather from the hide of a deer

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

possessive form of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

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

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

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

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

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

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

provoking horror

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

and nothing more

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

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

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

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

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

of an obscure nature

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

habitually complaining

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

in a restless manner

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

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

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

plural of “seam” — joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

filled with shade

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

extremely modest or shy

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

not in physical motion

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

the rays of the sun

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

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

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

in or at that place or location

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished

From this reading All was still misty and undefined, a land of shadowy dreams, and the camp of the Crows was silent as a cemetery at midnight.

in a vague way

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

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

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

(used informally) very small

From this reading By-and-by, if anyone had been listening (and surely the Crows should have had some sentinels about), a bird began to move restlessly among the dry leaves, which he rattled as noisily as if his wee body was as big as an elephant's.

at the time that

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

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

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

a Caucasian

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)

From this reading SNAP'S STORY It was in the grey of the morning, at that mysterious time when the earth is just beginning to think about awaking--before there is any sunlight in the sky--although the shamefaced whiteness of the stars suggests that a greater light than theirs is coming.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The tall teepees, or tents of deerskin, looked white and ghastly, and the long fringes of scalp-locks which ran down their seams and fluttered from their poles whispered vaguely horrible things to that little chill wind which always precedes the dawn.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.

inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading With a quick querulous chirp he fluttered away, and from time to time another bird woke, chattered, and followed him.