Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

plural of “crocus” — any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

willing to give and share unstintingly

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

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

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

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

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

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

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

hear with intention

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

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

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

with relatively high volume

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

vigorously passionate

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

not any; not one

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

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

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

and nothing more

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

by chance

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

the season of growth

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

propel through the air

From this reading He almost persuaded me that his chirping was a song, so much lusty energy did he throw into it.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was only when I came to listen carefully that I realized there were but two notes to his compass.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

precisely as stated

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

at the time that

From this reading A day when his ancestors lived in trees instead of upon sooty house-tops was no doubt dimly stirring in his semi-consciousness.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

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

From this reading A sparrow came and sat upon one of my window-boxes as I was at breakfast this morning, chirping loudly for some reason or other as though it were summer instead of one of those very early days of spring which seem to have dropped by accident from the lap of a generous Providence.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Possibly it was the bright yellow of the crocuses, now in bloom, which attracted him.