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 The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

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

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

react verbally

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

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

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

plural of “coyote” — small wolf native to western North America

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

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

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

brought together in one place

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

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

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

a greyish light (as at dawn or dusk or in dim interiors)

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

past form of “halt” — cause to stop

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

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

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

set afire or burning

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

hear with intention

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

the force of workers available

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called “elk” in Europe and “moose” in North America

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

occurring from time to time

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

on one occasion

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

above and across; more than

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

arrange in a container

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

move with force

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

plural of “rooftop” — the top of a (usually flat) roof

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

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

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

plural of “shack” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

filled with shade

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

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

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

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

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

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

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

not having makeup on

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Author of "The Strength of the Pines," "The Voice of the Pack," etc.

past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.

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

From this reading To Agnes, of the South--this story of the North It was not the first time that people of the forest had paused on the hill at twilight to look down on Bradleyburg.

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

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

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

From this reading The sight always seemed to intrigue and mystify the wild folk,--the shadowed street, the spire of the moldering church ghostly in the half-light, the long row of unpainted shacks, and the dim, pale gleam of an occasional lighted window.

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading More than once the wolf pack had halted here for a fleeting instant; but they were never people to linger in the vicinity of men.

an established custom

From this reading The old bull moose, in rutting days, was wont to pause and call, listen an instant for such answer as the twilight city might give him, then push on through the spruce forests; and often the coyotes gathered in a ring and wailed out their cries over the rooftops.