Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

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

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

in the past

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

(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 (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

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

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

(ornithology) the class of birds

From this reading AVES.

plural of “barrier” — a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

a young person of either sex

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

dearly loved

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

a conversation between two persons

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

any of numerous small pigeons

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

Experienced dreams during sleep.

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

at any time

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

something many people believe that is false

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

the act of departing

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

be a hindrance or obstacle to

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

moving to the inside of something

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

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

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

many times at short intervals

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

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

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

plural of “prison” — a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

ordinary writing as distinguished from verse

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

recurring again and again

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

from a time in the past until now

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

express in words

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

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

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

free from deception or illusion

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

freed of a mistaken or misguided notion

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

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

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

at the time that

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

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

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Now you will not think it kind on my part, but I must undeceive you about this fancy, as you will be undeceived some day about many others.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

hope for; have a wish

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading If you ever dreamt this dream, do not apologise for it; it is one as old as the world.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?

a late time of life

From this reading 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!' cried the Prophet, nearly 3,000 years ago; and the dialogue of the swallow and the prisoner, so often sung by poets, has been repeated in prose behind all the prison-bars on the globe since prisons were first invented.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading (_Birds._) Tell me, my dear child, when you have seen birds taking their flight into the air, and going boldly to their object, without a thought of all the barriers, ditches, rivers, and mountains, which hinder man at every step in his travels, did it never strike you to wish for their wings, and imagine how you would fly off if you had them?