used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
(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 Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
ant-heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
ant-hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
chipsnounUS /tʃɪps/
strips of potato fried in deep fat
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
diminishesverbUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “diminish” — decrease in size, extent, or range
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
disappearsverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrz/
third-person singular of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
entrancesnounUS /ˈentrənsəz/
plural of “entrance” — something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
the organ of sight
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
GroupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
increasesnounUS /ɪnˈkriːsəz/
plural of “increase” — a quantity that is added
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
laggardsnounUS /ˈlæɡərdz/
plural of “laggard” — someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
immediately past
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
the act of departing
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
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 But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
engage in
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
numbadjectiveUS /nʌm/
lacking sensation
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
and nothing more
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
openingsnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋz/
plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
republicnounUS /riˈpʌblək/
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
robustadjectiveUS /roʊˈbʌst/
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
rousingadjectiveUS /ˈraʊzɪŋ/
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
get by special effort
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
shinesnounUS /ʃaɪnz/
plural of “shine” — the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
shredsnounUS /ʃredz/
plural of “shred” — a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
not in physical motion
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
very small
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
torpidadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrpəd/
slow and apathetic
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Some, more active and robust, run in and out, waking up the lazy, hurrying the laggards, and rousing all the little community to begin their summer habits.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Two or three sentinels wander round to see that all is secure.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Groups of them come out to the top of the ant-hill to warm and thaw themselves in the rays of the sun.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
look attentively
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
well-beingnounUS /ˌwelˈbiːɪŋ/
a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading As two, half-past two, and three o'clock arrive, they have nearly all disappeared inside the ant-heap, leaving only a few warriors, of a larger make and tried courage, to watch over the well-being of the little republic and to close up all openings with tiny chips of wood, dry leaves, and shreds of moss, so as to hide the entrances from human eye.
but in spite of that
From this reading But this activity does not last long; they are as yet only half awake, and still numb and torpid from the winter's cold, and the little throng increases or diminishes as the sun shines or disappears behind a cloud.
