Chapter V

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

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

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

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

plural of “barren” — an uninhabited wilderness that is worthless for cultivation

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

covered with beads of liquid

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

having or provided with a belt

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes; called “reindeer” in Eurasia and “caribou” in North America

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “cree” — a member of an Algonquian people living in central Canada

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

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

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

naturally having skin of a dark color

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

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

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

tastelessly showy

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

plural of “good” — benefit

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

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

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

an offensive term for an offspring of parents of different racial group (especially of Caucasian and American Indian ancestry)

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

plural of “headwater” — the source of a river

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

ten 10s

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

past form of “journey” — undertake a journey or trip

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects; used in e.g. varnishes and sealing wax

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

plural of “legging” — a garment covering the leg (usually extending from the knee to the ankle)

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

without limits in extent or size or quantity

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

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 Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

a text browser

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

a hairdo characterized by deep regular waves that are made by a heated curling iron

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

agile slender-bodied arboreal mustelids somewhat larger than weasels

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

the expensive fur of a mink

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

plural of “moccasin” — soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

plural of “moon” — the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

plural of “mushroom” — common name for an edible agaric (contrasting with the inedible toadstool)

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

past form of “quicken” — move faster

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

-ing form of “romp” — play boisterously

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

plural of “sash” — a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “shawl” — cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

a state of social isolation

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

the season of growth

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

suffering from lack of food

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

naturally having skin of a dark color

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

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

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a warhorse

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

(of unknown regions) not yet surveyed or investigated

From this reading From a hundred unmapped valleys they had journeyed to the Bay to trade their fox and lynx, their mink and fisher and marten, for the goods of the Company.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

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

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

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

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

during the time that

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading Swart hunters from Lac d'Iberville, half-breed Crees from the Whispering Hills and the Little Whale watershed, belted with colored Company sashes, wearing beaded leggings and moccasins, smoked and talked of the trade with wild _voyageurs_ from Lac Bienville, the Lakes of the Winds, and the Starving River headwaters in the caribou barrens.

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

From this reading For weeks, before the return of Marcel, the canoes of the Crees had been coming in daily from winter trapping grounds in far valleys.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE MOON OF FLOWERS As the grim fastnesses reaching away to the north and east and south in limitless, ice-locked solitude, had wakened to the magic touch of spring, so the little post at Whale River had quickened with life at the advent of June with the spring trade.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading Around the tepees, which dotted the post clearing like mushrooms, groups of dark-skinned women, heads wrapped in gaudy shawls, laughed and gossiped, while the shrill voices of romping children filled the air, for the lean moons of the long snows had passed and the soft days returned.