Chapter V · Kroof, the She-bear

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

(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 The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

a man who is the lover of a man or woman

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

talk or utter in a cackling manner

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

give encouragement to

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

strips of potato fried in deep fat

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

tilt or slant to one side

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

feelings of excessive pride

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

the act of conquering

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

plural of “dame” — informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

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

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

impaired by diminution

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

at any time

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

becoming greater or larger

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

unbearably arrogant or conceited

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

above and across; more than

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

an assumption that is taken for granted

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

characterized by resonance

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

cause friction

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

the season of growth

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

inflected form of “strut” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

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

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

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

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Kirstie’s autumn furrows, dark and steaming, began to show in patches through the diminished snow.

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

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.

not covered with clothing

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

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

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

at the time that

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

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

From this reading One morning, when something she did offended his dignity, he had the presumption to face her with beak advanced and wide-ruffled neck feathers.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Saunders,” Miranda had called him, in remembrance of a strutting beau at the Settlement; and with the advent of April cheer, and an increasing abundance of eggs, and an ever resounding cackle from his complacent partlets, his conceit became insufferable.

plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The chips before the house and the litter about the barn, drawing the sun strongly, were first of all uncovered; and over them, as to the conquest of new worlds, the haughty cock led forth his dames to scratch.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Spring came early to the clearing that year.