Chapter XV

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

to come to rest, settle

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

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

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

of or characteristic of or occurring in autumn

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

plural of “bid” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

seemingly boundless in amount, number, degree, or especially extent

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

plural of “cast” — the actors in a play

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

a wide scope

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

a deliberately false or improbable account

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

preferred above all others and treated with partiality

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

without fear

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

devoid of good sense or judgment

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

plural of “goose” — web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

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

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

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

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

young sheep

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

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 If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

march in a procession

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

of lesser importance or stature or rank

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

not any; not one

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

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

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

a formal and solemn declaration of objection

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

only a very short time before

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

turn sharply; change direction abruptly

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

a qualitative change

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

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

From this reading I sometimes seem to hear in the bewildering trumpetings of wild geese a cry of surprise and protest at the ruin of their former paradise.

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

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

impressive by reason of age

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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 A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

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

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A MINOR CASTS HALF A VOTE March came in like neither a lion nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week old before the wild ducks had begun to score the sky above Bronson's Slew looking for open water and badly-harvested corn-fields.

in the company of; together with

From this reading If geese are favored with the long lives in which fable bids us believe, some of these venerable honkers must have seen every vernal and autumnal phase of the transformation from boundless prairie to boundless corn-land.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

an established custom

From this reading Wild geese, too, honked from on high as if in wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed into a disgusting expanse of farms.

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

From this reading Colonel Woodruff's hired man, Pete, had no such foolish notions, however.