Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading A HUNTER'S WOOING.

(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 we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

protective covering made of metal and used in combat

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

a noisy mock serenade (made by banging pans and kettles) to a newly married couple

From this reading LONDON CHARIVARI.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

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

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

any strong feeling

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

come together

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

beyond normal limits

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

possessive form of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading A HUNTER'S WOOING.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading LONDON CHARIVARI.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

not one, and not any

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

someone skilled in the use of a rifle

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

a city in south central Canada in Ontario; a major nickel mining center

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading None knew better than he the perils that threatened them in those dim labyrinths, and none was better prepared to encounter them.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

directly under, often hidden by what is above

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading It was with a heart beating with more than one excessive emotion, that Lewis Dernor, the Rifleman, plunged into the forest with Edith Sudbury.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

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

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

misery resulting from affliction

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)

From this reading A HUNTER'S WOOING.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading And we knew That this rare sternness had its softness too, That woman's charm and grace upon his being wrought; That underneath the armor of his breast Were springs of tenderness, all quick to flow In sympathy with childhood's joy or woe; That children climbed his knees, and made his arms their rest.