Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

a youthful male person

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the act of breaking something

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

strong feelings of embarrassment

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

a young male horse under the age of four

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

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

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

set up or found

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

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

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

state of disgrace or loss of self-respect

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

engage in

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the characteristic sounds made by a horse

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

not any; not one

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

and nothing more

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

plural of “pioneer” — someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

without much difficulty

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

similarity in appearance or external or superficial details

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

temporarily incapable of speaking

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

be standing; be upright

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

not in physical motion

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

required or under orders

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

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

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

the upper part of anything

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

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

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

at the time that

From this reading A STRANGER No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a tree.

in or at the place that

From this reading In the gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a horse could be figured out.

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

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder.

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

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading A tree close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But for the neigh which reached the ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake.