Chapter XVIII · The Honey Thieves

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

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

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

react verbally

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

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

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

a game in which balls are rolled at an object or group of objects with the aim of knocking them over or moving them

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

make calm or still

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

a situation in which people or things are crowded together

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

plural of “daffodil” — any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

remove the dust from

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

the act of enclosing something inside something else

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

moving swiftly

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

assemble or get together

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

plural of “gather” — sewing consisting of small folds or puckers made by pulling tight a thread in a line of stitching

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

only a very short time before

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

an itchy skin eruption characterized by weals with pale interiors and well-defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

a search for knowledge

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

a narrow way or road

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

past form of “launch” — set up or found

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

held up in the air

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

in a joyous manner

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

used to form the superlative

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

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

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

on one occasion

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

a course of conduct

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

the act of doing or performing again

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

not in physical motion

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

the rays of the sun

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

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

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading As usual, the old bee-man had an unexpected answer ready to the most obvious question.

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 WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

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

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.

at the time that

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

in or at the place that

From this reading WHERE the bee-garden lay, under its sheltering crest of pine-wood, the April sunbeams seemed to gather, as water gathers in the lap of enclosing hills.

a Caucasian

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “When will the new honey begin to come in?” he said, repeating my inquiry.

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

From this reading Out in the lane the sweet hot wind sang in the hedgerows, and the white dust lifted under every footfall and went bowling merrily away on the breeze.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But once among the crowding hives, you were launched on a still calm lake of sunshine, where the daffodils hardly swayed on their slender stems; and the smoke from the bee-master’s pipe, as he came down the red-tiled path, hung in the air behind him like blue gossamer spread to catch the flying bees.