Chapter VI

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

(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 DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

make up

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

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

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

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

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

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

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

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

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

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

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

plural of “mushroom” — common name for an edible agaric (contrasting with the inedible toadstool)

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

a child's room for a baby

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

plural of “owl” — nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

of a white the color of pearls

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

a small piece of cloth or paper

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

the state of being asleep

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

plural of “spider” — predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

creating thread

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

(military) signal to turn the lights out

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading The night was as bright as a polished coin, a coin that’s kept by a miser man and is polished every day with a green, green rag.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

a metallic tapping sound

From this reading Across the hall, Grandma sat, sat all night in her famous rocking chair--rocking, rocking, rocking--the gentle creak, creak, creak like the tick of a clock in the stillness of the house.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

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

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

precisely as stated

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

plural of “web” — an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

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

From this reading THE DRAGON TAPS ON THE WINDOW That night there was a full moon that rose above the woodlot and poured silver into the meadow, and all the little owls were out, talking it over with each other.

having yellow stripes

From this reading The yellow-striped spiders were very, very busy with their spinnerets, spinning great silver webs to catch the dew diamonds, and I think the mushrooms were up to some pearly mischief in the silvery grass.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Up in the nursery the children slept, if you could really call it sleeping--Peter, Johnathan and Janet Jane.