Chapter VII

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

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

cause to come to know personally

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

later than; following

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

(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 I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

in addition

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

possessive form of “autumn” — the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

plural of “bean” — any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

plural of “bluebird” — fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the East Indies

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

terminate

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

a member of the genus Fagopyrum; annual Asian plant with clusters of small pinkish white flowers and small edible triangular seeds which are used whole or ground into flour

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

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

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

plural of “crop” — the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

plural of “display” — something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

moving swiftly

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

possessive form of “fonda” — United States film actress and daughter of Henry Fonda (born in 1937)

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

physically weak

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

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

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

plot of land belonging to an English parish church or an ecclesiastical office

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

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

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

plural of “harbinger” — something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

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

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

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

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

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

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

and nothing more

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

immediately past

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

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

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

female equine animal

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

unhurried and relaxed

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

plural of “moth” — typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

characterized by soft sounds

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the middle of the day

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

tilling the land with a plow

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

predict or reveal through, or as if through, divine inspiration

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

wearing footgear

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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 BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

sprinkled with seed

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

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

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

having a supporting base

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

the first light of day

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STORM Johnny Silver had ridden my mare to Varick's to be shod, the evening previous, and was to remain the night and return by noon to Fonda's Bush.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Also were flying those frail little grass-green moths, earliest harbingers of vernal weather, so that observing folk, versed in the pretty signals which nature displays to acquaint us of her designs, might safely prophesy soft skies.

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

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

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

From this reading Already bluebirds were drifting from stump to stump, and robins, which had arrived in April before the snow melted, chirped in the furrows of last autumn's plowing.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading It was the first sunny May day of the year, murmurous with bees, and a sweet, warm smell from woods and cleared lands.

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.

distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)

From this reading I was standing in my glebe just after sunrise, gazing across my great cleared field--I had but one then, all else being woods--and I was thinking about my crops, how that here should be sown buckwheat to break and mellow last year's sod; and here I should plant corn and Indian squashes, and yonder, God willing, potatoes and beans.