Chapter IX

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

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

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

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

any of various composite shrubs or herbs of the genus Artemisia having aromatic green or greyish foliage

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

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

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

take up mentally

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

tilt or slant to one side

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

a laborer who digs

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

third-person singular of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

divisible by two

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

a social unit living together

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

(of a bird) having reached full development with fully grown adult plumage; ready to fly

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

third-person singular of “furnish” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

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

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

flesh of any of various grouse of the family Tetraonidae; usually roasted; flesh too dry to broil

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

according to habit or custom

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

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

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

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

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

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

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

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

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

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

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

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

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

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

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

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

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

not any; not one

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

unusual or striking

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

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

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

resembling or reminiscent of silver

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

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

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

type genus of the Tetraonidae: capercaillies

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

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

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

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

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

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

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading A full-fledged cock of the plains is as large as an eagle; and, unlike most of the grouse kind, has a long, narrow body.

not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind

From this reading He is remarkable for two large _goitre-like_ swellings on the breast, covered with a sort of hair instead of feathers; but, though a fine-looking large bird, and a grouse too, his flesh is bitter and unpalatable—even more so than that of the sage-hare.

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

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.

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

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

a Caucasian

From this reading His plumage is of a silvery gray color—produced by a mottle of black and white,—no doubt, given him by a nature to assimilate him to the hue of the artemisia,—amidst which he habitually dwells, and the berries of which furnish him with most of his food.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That magnificent bird, the “cock of the plains,” sometimes furnishes the Digger with “fowl” for his dinner.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading This is a bird of the grouse family (_tetrao urophasianus_), and the largest species that is known,—exceeding in size the famed “cock of the woods” of northern Europe.