Chapter V

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

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

later than; following

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

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

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

a steerable self-propelled aircraft

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

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

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

any thing at all

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

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

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

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

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

at any time

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

a foolish or nervous laugh

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

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

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

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

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

and nothing more

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

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

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

to a great degree or extent

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

and nothing more

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

by chance

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

be seated

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

move stealthily

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

a person, without saying who

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

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

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

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

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

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

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

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

From this reading Well, perhaps Maida only imagined it, but that is exactly the kind of noise those two birds were making.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

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

From this reading Well, it really looked as though they were.

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

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

at the time that

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

during the time that

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Both of them sat staring first at Maida, then at the Explorer; now and then flapping their wings and making a sort of noise like--just like--did you ever slip on the ice and sit down hard when you weren’t expecting to do anything of the sort, and _then_ did you hear someone across the street or in the next house giggle about it?

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading After a while they rose in the air, slowly flapping their big wings--flew about the wreck of the airship a few times, just to show how much better real wings are than made wings, then they disappeared in the distance.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do you know,” said Maida, “I believe the birds are laughing at us?”