Chapter VIII

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

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

be present or associated with an event or entity

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

(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 And it all was calling--calling him.

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

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

in a state of sleep

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

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

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

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

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading And it all was calling--calling him.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

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

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

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

From this reading And it all was calling--calling him.

past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

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

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

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

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

slightly wet

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

in a mystical manner

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

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

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

many times at short intervals

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

and nothing more

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

above and across; more than

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

in a peaceful manner

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

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

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

expressing sorrow

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

cut with a saw

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

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

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading He saw the sleepy, feathery little clouds drifting slowly over the disk of the moon to float peacefully in a sea of soft, lustrous light.

with low volume

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

sexually exciting or gratifying

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

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

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

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

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

at the time that

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

in or at the place that

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

belonging to which person

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading And often when he could not sleep he rose up softly, went to the window, and looked out at the night.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

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

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.

but in spite of that

From this reading He fancied he could hear, in the distance the swelling chorus of the frogs, which hovered so mystically over the plains; and the song of the only bird which can accompany the solemn stillness--whose lay begins so soft and plaintive and breaks off so suddenly, making the silence seem yet deeper.

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

From this reading He thought of the distant dunes--asleep, now, in the sultry night--how wonderful it must be in the low woods where not a leaf would be stirring, and where it was full of the fragrance of moist moss and young birch-sprouts.