Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

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

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

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

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

completely unclothed

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

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

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

with resolute determination

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

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

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

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

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

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

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

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

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

the middle part of April

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

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

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

bite off very small pieces

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

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

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

at an earlier time or formerly

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

plural of “pup” — young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

plural of “rabbit” — any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

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

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

plural of “shoot” — a new branch

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

in the near future

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

the season of growth

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

past form of “store” — keep or lay aside for future use

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

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

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

a moving crowd

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

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

From this reading The snow melted slowly in the high country but by mid-April a few bare spots showed in the more open meadows, the hardy mountain grass sending forth green shoots.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

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

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

furnished with or made of wood or timbers

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

very small

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

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

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading The pups had grown large and strong and were able to follow their parents on the meat trail, and they soon learned to catch their own mice.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The surface of the drifts showed thousands of tiny mouse tracks,--the mice that had lived deep under the snow, subsisting on food previously stored, now coming forth to swarm into these first cleared patches.

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

From this reading The drifts in the passes had packed so firmly as to afford good footing and the game was coming back to the summer range.

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

From this reading The rabbits were drawn from the timbered ridges to nibble these first spring dainties.