Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

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

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

quick to understand

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

opinion or judgment

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.

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

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

and nothing more

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

set up or found

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading There was slight movement to note.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

not any; not one

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

a brief written record

From this reading There was slight movement to note.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

by chance

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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 Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

considered individually

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading There was slight movement to note.

not in physical motion

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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 It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

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

From this reading THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was slight movement to note.

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

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading There was slight movement to note.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

the upper branches and leaves of a tree or other plant

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

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

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.

at the time that

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

in or at the place that

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

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

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was with scant breath, when they reached their respective caves, that the boys told the story of the dread which had invaded the marsh-land.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Coiled easily around the bole, just above where the branches began, and resting a portion of its body upon a thick, extending limb, its head and perhaps ten or fifteen feet of its length swinging downward, the great serpent still hung awaiting its prey, ready to launch itself upon any hapless victim which might come within its reach.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading What they reported was no light event and, the next morning, their fathers were with them in the treetop at the safe distance which the wooded crest afforded and watching with apprehensive eyes the movements of the monster settled in the rugged valley tree.