Chapter XI

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

completely unclothed

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

make calm or still

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

plural of “cavern” — any large dark enclosed space

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

past form of “chill” — depress or discourage

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

rid of obstructions

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

having the physical appearance of death

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

decree or designate beforehand

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

ludicrously odd

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

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

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

a small island

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

having a sharply uneven surface or outline

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

the common people generally

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

the force of workers available

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

completely unclothed

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

any region lying in or toward the north

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

having a rim or a rim of a specified kind

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

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

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

as an undiversified whole

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading This was the Spirit Lake.

not in physical motion

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

used as intensifiers

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

push forcefully

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

very small

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

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

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

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

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

not seen or perceived

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

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

From this reading In the centre of the lake thrust up a tiny islet of bare and jagged rock, now blown partially grey and naked, now cloaked with masses of ice.

precisely as stated

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

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

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A KNIFE DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT HANDS In the heart of this northland wilderness, set amid trees like a green crystal jewel, was a hard-frozen little lake, solidly rimmed in by heavy evergreens, its ice blown clear and smooth by the keen winds.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading About the edge of this islet the first ice of winter had been flung up to form fantastic ridges and caverns.

in the company of; together with

From this reading To-day it was calm and deathly still; the very air seemed heavy, bitter with the doom of men, chilled by the unseen breath which struck so terribly.