Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

an industrial center and the nominal capital of the Netherlands; center of the diamond-cutting industry; seat of an important stock exchange; known for its canals and art museum

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

confined by bonds

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

true confidential information

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

set up or found

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

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

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

and nothing more

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

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

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

in a northern direction

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

coated with paint

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

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 There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

a carpenter who helps build and launch wooden vessels

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

past form of “sketch” — make a sketch of

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

in the near future

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

moving very fast

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

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

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

at the time that

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

in or at the place that

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.

the act of rotating in a circle or spiral

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

make a soft swishing sound

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

which person or people

From this reading "What a shame they found out who he was so soon!" said Nell.

belonging to which person

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

plural of “windmill” — a mill that is powered by the wind

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was just time for a swift run down the river, and a call at one of that famous battalion of windmills whose whirling sails fill the air with a ceaseless whirr, like the flight of birds at sunset; then a walk to the hovel where Peter the Great lived and learned to be a shipwright.

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

From this reading But when they had seen it, the ladies would not allow it to be called by so mean a name.

but in spite of that

From this reading But we were not yet bound for Amsterdam.

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

From this reading Twisting northward as the details of the city were sketched upon the sky, we turned into the canal which leads to Zaandam of the self-satisfied, painted houses.