Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

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

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

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

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

plural of “battalion” — an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

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 The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

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

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

a flock of coots

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

the organ of sight

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

join tongue and groove, in carpentry

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

the act of grazing

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

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

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

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

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

and nothing more

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

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

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

in the near future

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

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

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

deliver by singing

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

in the near future

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

that is looked for

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

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

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

make steady

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

possessing sweep

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

a dense growth of bushes

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

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

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

push forcefully

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

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

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

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

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The deer sought its covert, a buffalo, grazing in a little prairie, thrust its huge form into a thicket, the squirrel lay snug in its nest in the hollow of a tree, and the bird in the shelter of the foliage ceased to sing.

plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

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

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.

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

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading THE FLIGHT A strong wind swept over the great forest, sending green leaves and twigs in showers before it, and bringing clouds in battalions from the west.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The air presently grew cold, and then heavy drops of rain came, pattering at first like shot, but soon settling into a hard and steady fall that made the day dark and chill, tingeing the whole wilderness with gloom and desolation.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The only sounds were those of the elements, and the world seemed to have returned to the primeval state that had endured for ages.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was the kingdom of fur, fin and feather, and, so far as the casual eye could have seen, man had not yet come.