Chapter XXI

having companions or an escort

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

later than; following

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

plural of “amusement” — a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

plural of “blackbird” — any bird of the family Icteridae whose male is black or predominantly black

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

comparative of “blue” — of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

plural of “concert” — a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

covered with water

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

plural of “frog” — any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

plural of “gopher” — a zealously energetic person (especially a salesman)

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

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

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

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

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

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

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

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

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

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

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

stimulating or exalting to the spirit

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

march in a procession

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

plural of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

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

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

cheap or pretentious or vain display

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

the season of growth

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “squirrel” — a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

not in physical motion

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

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

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

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

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

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

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading February slowly gave way to March, the sun each day rolled higher and higher, and the heavens grew bluer and bluer.

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

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Spring at the West.--"Sugar Days."--Performances of the Cattle.--April.--Advent of the Blue-Jays and the Crows.--The Bluebirds, Phebes, and Robins.--April and its Inspiring Days.--The Frogs and their Concerts.--Gophers, Squirrels, Ants; Swallows, Brown-Threshers, and Blackbirds.--The Swallows, the Martins, and the Advent of May.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

at the time that

From this reading Then came the still, clear, cold nights, when the stars flashed like diamonds, and the still, warm days, that flooded the lakes and streams.

plural of “wild” — a wild primitive state untouched by civilization

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading After our winter had passed, accompanied with few out-door amusements, how inspiring were her first footsteps!

in the company of; together with

From this reading Spring opens in the western wilds with great pomp and beauty.