Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

a youthful male person

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

-ing form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

plural of “feast” — a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

try to manage without help

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

plural of “four” — the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

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

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

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

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

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 Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

young sheep

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

a distinguishing symbol

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

not any; not one

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

a course of conduct

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

done under pressure

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

removing by cutting off or clipping

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

a clergyman who watches over a group of people

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

walk by dragging one's feet

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

plural of “six” — the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

that is looked for

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

a special situation

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading It was natural that a boy like this should develop into the finest shepherd on the hills.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

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

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

one of the digits of the foot

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.

plural of “two” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)

From this reading At the shearing, at the washing, at the marking, his hand was among the best; and when the flocks had to be numbered as they rushed in thousands through the gate, he could count them, not by ones and twos, but by fours and sixes.

at the time that

From this reading It was no easy thing to fend off the cruel birds when in sight of their prey, but, running and capturing the poor lamb, Ralph snatched it up in his arms at the peril of his own eyes, and swung a staff about his head to beat off the birds as they darted and plunged and shrieked about him.

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

From this reading Ralph knew every path on the mountains, every shelter the sheep sought from wind and rain, every haunt of the fox.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the shearing feasts he was not above the pleasures of the country dance, the Ledder-te-spetch, as it was called, with its one, two, three--heel and toe--cut and shuffle.