Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

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

From this reading SELBORNE, _April 12th_, 1770.

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

From this reading SELBORNE, _April 12th_, 1770.

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

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

later than; following

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading SELBORNE, _April 12th_, 1770.

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

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

dearly loved

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

the act of consuming food

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

American finch whose male has yellow body plumage in summer

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

plural of “instance” — an occurrence of something

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

make a break in

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

immediately past

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

small finch originally of the western United States and Mexico

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

plural of “migration” — the movement of persons from one country or locality to another

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

not any; not one

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

an amount of time

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

third-person singular of “persist” — continue to exist

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

get by special effort

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading SELBORNE, _April 12th_, 1770.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

deliver by singing

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

term of address for a man

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

in the near future

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

freedom from wavering or indecision; constancy of resolve or conduct

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading SELBORNE, _April 12th_, 1770.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

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

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

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

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

Old World warbler similar to the greater whitethroat but smaller

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If this severe season does not interrupt the regularity of the summer migrations, the black-cap will be here in two or three days.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

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

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.

English architect who designed more than fifty London churches (1632-1723)

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Dear Sir,--I heard many birds of several species sing last year after Midsummer, enough to prove that the summer solstice is not the period that puts a stop to the music of the woods.

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

From this reading The yellow-hammer no doubt persists with more steadiness than any other: but the woodlark, the wren, the redbreast, the swallow, the whitethroat, the goldfinch, the common linnet, are all undoubted instances of the truth of what I advanced.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I wish it was in my power to procure you one of those songsters; but I am no bird-catcher, and so little used to birds in a cage, that I fear if I had one it would soon die for want of skill in feeding.