Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

in addition

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

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

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

travel up

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

with one leg on each side

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

for the reason that

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

next to; at the side of

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

district consisting of the area on either side of a border or boundary of a country or an area

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

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

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

deeply involved especially in something complicated

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

a competitor thought likely to win

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

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

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

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

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

becoming greater or larger

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

and nothing more

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

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

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

most important element

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

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

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

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

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

past form of “range” — change or be different within limits

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

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

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

inferior in size or quality

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

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

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

in or at that place or location

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

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

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

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

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

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

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

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

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading TREE-SHOOTING: A FISHING EXPEDITION Just on the verge and borderland of the territory that could be ranged in safety there grew a stunted oak in a mound beside the brook.

forceful exertion

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading One warm afternoon late in the summer I got up into this oak; and took a seat astride a large limb, with the main trunk behind like the back of a chair and about twenty feet above the mound.

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

From this reading This oak was a favourite perching-place, because of its position: it could also be more easily climbed than straight-grown timber, having many boughs low down the trunk.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Perhaps the roots had been checked by the water; for the tree, instead of increasing in bulk, had expended its vigour in branches so crooked that they appeared entangled in each other.

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

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a gun it is difficult to ascend a smooth tree; these boughs therefore were a great advantage.