Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading A Cable Snaps.

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

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

(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 It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

a telegram sent abroad

From this reading A Cable Snaps.

plural of “chunk” — a compact mass

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

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

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

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

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

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

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

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

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

plural of “snap” — the act of catching an object with the hands

From this reading A Cable Snaps.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

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

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

a special situation

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

past form of “troop” — march in a procession

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The new grass lay flat upon the prairies, and chunks of dirt rattled down from the roof of Pochette's primitive abiding-place.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

at the time that

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

which person or people

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading Pochette himself looked worried when we trooped in to breakfast.

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

From this reading Our lazy land smiling and dreaming to itself had disappeared; in its stead, the wind howled down the river from the west and lashed the water into what would have looked respectable waves to one who had not been on the ocean and seen the real thing.

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

From this reading It is true the sun shone, but I really wouldn't have been at all surprised if the wind had blown it out, 'most any time.