Chapter XIV

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

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

(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 What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

shining intensely

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

a youthful male person

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

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

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

toward the east

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

plural of “encampment” — a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

divisible by two

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

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

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

the act of retaining something

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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 What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

(Greek mythology) a giant Boeotian hunter who pursued the Pleiades and was eventually slain by Artemis; was then placed in the sky as a constellation

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

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

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

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

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

express in words

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

reduced to silence

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

not in physical motion

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

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

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

carry out

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

in or at that place or location

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

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

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

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

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

precisely as stated

From this reading And when the boy was late in the wood, on happy evenings, he would always hear as the sun went blazing down, rank on rank of the elfin horns blowing far away eastwards in the chill of the coming dusk, very far and faint, like reveillé heard in dreams.

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

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

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

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

at the time that

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

which person or people

From this reading What beasts there were in the wood even Threl did not know: many kinds fell to his subtlety, but who knew if these were all?

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading _The Quest for the Elfin Mountains_ Winter descended on Erl and gripped the forest, holding the small twigs stiff and still: in the valley it silenced the stream; and in the fields of the oxen the grass was brittle as earthenware, and the breath of the beasts went up like the smoke of encampments.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading When he went with Oth the wood was full of the glamour of the beasts that Oth hunted, and the splendour of the great stags seemed to haunt the gloom of far hollows; but when he went with Threl a mystery haunted the wood, so that one could not say what creature might not appear, nor what haunted and hid by every enormous bole.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.

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

From this reading And Orion still went to the woods whenever Oth would take him, and sometimes he went with Threl.