Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

not being in a specified place

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

(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 A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

provoking fear terror

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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 Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

the act of departing

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

confined on all sides

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

an old word for “before”

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

reflecting light

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

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

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading HOME.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

the act of tarrying

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

not any; not one

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

have sovereign power

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

United States basketball guard (born in 1938)

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

a male human offspring

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

imparting heat

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Cold and dark, the waters of the harbor lay encircled by the pure and glistening land.

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

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

during the time that

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

a Caucasian

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

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

From this reading A light fall of snow had clothed all Fairport in white, and whispered in the ears of lingering birds that they had better be off for the "sunny south," ere old winter had fairly begun his icy reign.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Cheerful wood fires were warming many a hearth-stone, while wives and mothers thought of their absent ones on the sea, and hoped and prayed no chilling storm might be rending their sails and perilling the lives so precious to home and native land.