Chapter IX

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

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

(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 They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

a large mountain system in south-central Europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

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

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

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

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

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

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

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

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

the expensive white fur of the ermine

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

moving swiftly

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

in a grand manner

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

an airplane powered by one or more jet engines

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

a quick and penetrating intelligence

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

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

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

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 They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

impressiveness in scale or proportion

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

become covered with mist

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

coated with paint

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

extremely and sharply

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

without mercy or pity

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

plural of “scarf” — a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

and nothing more

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

comparative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

be standing; be upright

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

not in physical motion

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

a violent commotion or disturbance

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

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

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Then, at least, clothed so simply in their robes of jet and ermine, they stand in something of their old true majesty, solemn, forbidding, terrible.

not capable of being conquered or vanquished or overcome

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

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

From this reading Summer, as it were, over-dresses them, with its skirts of emerald-bright meadows and fringe of purple forests, and all its flying scarves of painted air and mist.

a Caucasian

From this reading The black and white become them best; and they know it: the savage, iron black that seems pitiless, and that shining, silvery white that dazzles so piercingly.

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

From this reading They are really not summer things at all, but creatures of the winter--the short, brilliant day of icy keenness, and the long night of tempest, wind, and drifting snows.

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

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-seven and one

From this reading XXVIII THE WINTER ALPS With an audacity of outline denied to them in the softer seasons, the Alps rear themselves aloft in Winter more grandly self-revealed than at any other time--still with their brave and ancient pretence of being unconquerable.