Chapter VII

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

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

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

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

a quantity of no importance

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

completely unclothed

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

the lower side of anything

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

a small inlet

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

resembling the new moon in shape

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

having the place or position changed

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

flow back or recede

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

at any time

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

apart from; not including

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

past form of “fool” — make a fool or dupe of

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

set up or found

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

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 It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

plural of “minnow” — very small European freshwater fish common in gravelly streams

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

having spots or patches of color

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

the discharge of a fluid from some container

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

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

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

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

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

past form of “sport” — wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

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

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

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

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

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

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

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

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

past form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples

From this reading It was a long, crescent-shaped arm of the sea, parallel to the ocean, and separated from it by a spruce-clad cliff; its placid surface scarcely more than rippled or undulated outside, and so shallow was it that each ebb tide left its sandy bottom bare.

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

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

New Zealand runner who in 1975 became the first person to run a mile in less that 3 minutes and 50 seconds (born in 1952)

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.

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

From this reading Christmas Cove was never disturbed by aught except small boats, and few of them.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

at the time that

From this reading A stream found devious way along this crescent when the outflow left it bare.

during the time that

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

a Caucasian

From this reading Mottled minnows, schools of white and green smelts, crabs of all sorts and sizes, swam and sported up and down this broad, shallow brook while the tide was away, and few of human kind ever watched them.

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

From this reading "Blessed be them that 'spects nothin', they won't git fooled."--Old Cy Walker.