Chapter I

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

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

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

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

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

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

next to; at the side of

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

confined by bonds

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

thrown away

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

capable of being interpreted in two usually contradictory ways

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

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

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

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

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

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

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

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

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

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

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

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

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

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

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

a quick and penetrating intelligence

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

immediately past

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

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 In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

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

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

with neatness

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

restricted to something

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

shake with fast, tremulous movements

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

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

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

not in physical motion

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

caught or fixed

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

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

From this reading A short fur coat, made from the pelt of the much-prized forest cat, lay in a careless heap at the boy's feet.

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

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

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

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

an individual instance of a type of symbol

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

emotionally upset

From this reading A five-foot bow of second-growth hickory leaned against the log beside him, but it was unstrung, and the quiver of arrows, suspended by a strap from his shoulders, had been allowed to shift from its proper position so that it hung down the middle of his back and was, consequently, out of easy hand-reach.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

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

From this reading This last, being purely ornamental, was doubtless a token of gentle birth or of an assured social station.

treated with wax

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

(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 It had felt comfortable enough in the still keenness of the early morning hour, but now that the sun was well up in the sky it had been discarded.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading In his belt was stuck a long, double-edged hunting-knife, having its wooden handle neatly bound with black waxed thread.