Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

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

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

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

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

the soft brown fur of the beaver

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

a female human offspring

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

not in agreement or harmony

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

-ing form of “disperse” — distribute loosely

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

increase twofold

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

the act of departing

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

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

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

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

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

emit long loud cries

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

the state of being inactive

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

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

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

past form of “lack” — be without

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

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 When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

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

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

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

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

forward in time or order or degree

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

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

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

on the contrary

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

shake, as from cold

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

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

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

successive (without a break)

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

accumulating and becoming more intense

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

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

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

in the direction of

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

communicated in words

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

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

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We can never live through another night," said he, and he covered his face with his arms.

in a weary manner

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

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

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

at the time that

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

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

From this reading When the position of the bright spot which meant the sun told that it lacked but an hour of sunset, and the clouds seemed to be thickening rather than dispersing, the Black Beaver gave a long and hideous howl.

a Caucasian

From this reading "Father," said Marie, "try what power there is in the white man's God.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The day wore by wearily; some of the time they paddled straight onward, with sinking hearts, knowing not toward what they were going, and at others rested with the inaction of despair.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading His wife and daughter shuddered when they heard it, as would any one, for a more unearthly and discordant cry was never uttered by man or beast; but they had double reason to shudder; it was the death cry of their nation.