used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
advancesnounUS /ədˈvænsəz/
plural of “advance” — a movement forward
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
how long something has existed
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
(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 That is all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
beatitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
brought into existence
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
disfavournoun
the state of being out of favor
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
EldersnounUS /ˈeldərz/
plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
elephantsnounUS /ˈeləfənts/
plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
frolics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
gladesnounUS /ɡleɪdz/
plural of “glade” — a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
HerdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That is all.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
LaosnounUS /ˈlɑːoʊs/
a mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern Asia; achieved independence from France in 1949
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
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 THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
not any; not one
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
and nothing more
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
painedadjectiveUS /peɪnd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
pillagenounUS /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
punishmentsnounUS /ˈpʌnɪʃmənts/
plural of “punishment” — the act of punishing
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
streamsnounUS /striːmz/
plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading When I grew large I perceived with surprise that the Elders of the Herd of which I was a member regarded me with disfavour.
carry out
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That is all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
at the time that
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For in those days the mists rested on my mind, which later on were cleared away.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This pained me, and I would have been glad to think that I was mistaken; but it was evident that no matter what advances were made by me, I was avoided by all.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading THE NATIVE FOREST I was born in the forest of Laos, and regarding my youth I have retained only very confused memories; occasional punishments inflicted by my Mother, when I refused to take my bath, or to follow her in search of food; some gay frolics with elephants of my own age; excessive fear during the great storms; pillage of the enemy's fields--and long beatitudes on the borders of streams, and in the silent glades of the forest.
