Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

on or to one side

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

the capacity to understand a broad range of topics

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the younger or jumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turned aside thus.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

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

From this reading But the younger or jumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turned aside thus.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

divisible by two

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

moving swiftly

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

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

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump

From this reading But the younger or jumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turned aside thus.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

plural of “locust” — migratory grasshoppers of warm regions having short antennae

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

many times at short intervals

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

a person who travels by foot

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

by chance

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

plural of “raise” — the amount a salary is increased

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

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

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience

From this reading But the younger or jumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turned aside thus.

attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

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

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

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

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

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

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps, have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!

at the time that

From this reading When a farmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three miles in length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round his garden and fields, raises a dense smoke, and may sometimes, though not often, succeed in preventing them from alighting.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; even a mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading But the younger or jumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turned aside thus.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading But the younger or jumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turned aside thus.