Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

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

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

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

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

eagerly desirous

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

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

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

the organ of sight

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

a restless seeker after amusement or social companionship

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

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

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

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

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

a barge that is designed and equipped for use as a dwelling

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

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

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

immediately past

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

quality of coming late or later in time

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

engage in

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

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

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

and nothing more

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

in other respects or ways

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

above and across; more than

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

inflected form of “prod” — to push against gently

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

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

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

in the near future

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

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

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

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

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

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

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.

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

From this reading Still we lingered in Eppes Creek, and soon we could not do otherwise than linger; for we wakened one morning to find the stream frozen over, and Gadabout presenting the incongruous spectacle of a houseboat fast in the ice.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

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

From this reading Of course it was only through some mistake that we were getting all those fine warm days in December.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS BIT OF HOUSEBOATING By this time, we were becoming anxious about the lateness of the season.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

at the time that

From this reading Perhaps Nature had not had her weather eye open when Father Time wet his thumb and turned over to the last page of the calendar.

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

From this reading But now, there was something in the look of the sky and in the feel of the air to make us fearful that the mix-up of the seasons had been discovered, and that winter was being prodded to the front.