Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

anew

From this reading Also, again, he may or may not have used his feet.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

Having no one else present.

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

in addition

From this reading Also, again, he may or may not have used his feet.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

strike violently

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

past form of “bang” — strike violently

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

divisible by two

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

put to death as punishment

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Also, again, he may or may not have used his feet.

set up or found

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

an indirect suggestion

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

twining perennials having cordate leaves and flowers arranged in conelike spikes; the dried flowers of this plant are used in brewing to add the characteristic bitter taste to beer

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

intense and profound fear

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

staying power

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

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

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

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 Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

engage in

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Also, again, he may or may not have used his feet.

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

on one occasion

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

and nothing more

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

in a vicious manner

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

express in words

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

a hunt for game carried on by following it stealthily or waiting in ambush

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

in or at that place or location

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

plural of “thrush” — candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

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

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

two times

From this reading Blackie banged his giant only a little once or twice, and then not savagely, like a thrush.

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

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

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

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

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

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Moreover, he gave up two intervals to surveying the world against any likely or unlikely stalking death.

any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading Thrushes bang their worms about to make them see sense and give in; they do it many times.

moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

but in spite of that

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Now, if you and I had searched that dry lawn with magnifying-glasses, in the heat of the sun, there and then, we should not have found a single worm, not the hint or the ghost of one; yet that bird took three long, low hops, made some quick motion with his beak--I swear it never seemed to touch the ground, even, let alone dig---executed a kind of jump in the air--some say he used his legs in the air--and there he was with a great, big, writhing horror of a worm as big as a snake (some snakes).