Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

(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 When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

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

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

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

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

dearly loved

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

being one more than seven

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

closed in or surrounded or included within

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

at any time

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

opinion or judgment

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

set up or found

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

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

From this reading But how long were we prisoners?

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

a message received and understood

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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 how long were we prisoners?

for more time

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

not any; not one

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

by chance

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a specialist in philosophy

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

participate in games or sport

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a large number or amount

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

in the near future

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

express in words

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

a special situation

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

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

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

precisely as stated

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

plural of “web” — an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading But how long were we prisoners?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

at the time that

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

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

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

a Caucasian

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

which person or people

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why, as soon as ever we were out of the shell we began to spin, and linked our webs so thick together that the philosopher's bottle would hold us no longer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

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

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading I soon perceived that we, in the egg state, wrapped in a white bag, as you left us, had been put into a thing called a bottle, by one of those great creatures whom we always call _striders_; but this was a particular one of that tribe, who wanted to play tricks with us--one whom they would perhaps call a philosopher.[1] Well, his own sense (if he had any) told him that we could not live without air; so he left the cork out, and went about his business; no doubt of much less consequence than the lives of all us prisoners--but that they do not mind.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading When I came to life, amongst some scores of other little merry yellow creatures, I found myself, and all of us, enclosed in a thing, through which we, with our eight eyes, could see very well, but could not instantly get out.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading _FROM A YOUNG GARDEN-SPIDER TO HER MOTHER._ DEAR MOTHER, I cannot exactly tell what happened before I came out of the shell; but, from circumstances, I can give you some information.